Perineural spread in head and neck malignancies: imaging findings - an updated literature review

Authors

  • Olga Medvedev Department of Radiology, County Clinical Emergency Hospital Cluj, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5641-7046
  • Mihaela Hedesiu Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9543-3674
  • Anca Ciurea Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9685-0904
  • Manuela Lenghel Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7341-498X
  • Horatiu Rotar Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2138-3322
  • Cristian Dinu Department of Maxillofacial Surgery and Implantology, Faculty of Dentistry, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1073-9402
  • Rares Roman Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0620-2845
  • Dragos Termure Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, “Iuliu Haţieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4796-7473
  • Csaba Csutak Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, “Iuliu Hațieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6669-6483

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17305/bjbms.2021.5897

Keywords:

Head and neck tumors, perineural invasion, cranial nerves, neuroanatomy imaging methods

Abstract

Perineural spread (PNS) represents the tumor’s ability to disseminate along nerves. The aim of this article is to review the relevant literature about the PNS in head and neck tumors (HN). The important information for imaging analysis is summarized in a diagnostic flow-chart. The pathogenesis, clinical signs, prognostic importance, and technical considerations for computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are briefly discussed. The anatomical pathways of the cranial nerves (CNs) and the main check-points are synthesized. Most commonly affected nerves are the trigeminal and facial, although any of the CNs may be involved. The described imaging features represent important clues for an optimal differential diagnosis. PNS worsens the prognosis and significantly changes the treatment, thus radiologists should be aware of this entity and be able to find it on imaging in the appropriate clinical context.

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Perineural spread in head and neck malignancies: imaging findings - an updated literature review

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Published

01-02-2022

How to Cite

1.
Perineural spread in head and neck malignancies: imaging findings - an updated literature review. Biomol Biomed [Internet]. 2022 Feb. 1 [cited 2024 Dec. 12];22(1):22-38. Available from: https://bjbms.org/ojs/index.php/bjbms/article/view/5897