Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Perineural Spread of Head and Neck Cancer

Perineural tumor spread (PNTS) is one of the important methods of tumoral spread in head and neck cancers. It consists of a complex process that entails the production of certain chemicals or the production of certain cell receptors. Histologic type and primary tumor site play an important role in PNTS. Any nerve could be affected; however, the trigeminal and facial nerves are the most involved nerves. Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography detect the primary and secondary signs of PNTS. Functional imaging such as diffusion-weighted imaging and hybrid imaging act as problem-solving techniques.
Source: Magnetic Resonance Imaging Clinics of North America - Category: Radiology Authors: Source Type: research