Differential diagnosis of parapharyngeal space formations by magnetic resonance imaging

The objective was to study possibilities of magnetic resonance imaging in the visualization of formations located in the parapharyngeal space or extending into the parapharyngeal space from adjacent areas. Methods and materials. According to the Pavlov University data, during the follow-up period from 2015 to 2024, pathological changes in the parapharyngeal space were detected in 33 patients out of 462 examined patients with suspected formations of the lateral surface of the neck, thus, the incidence of these changes, according to our data, was 7.14 %. All examined patients underwent high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the soft tissues of the neck, with intravenous administration of a paramagnetic contrast agent. All the results were verified histologically. Conclusion. Magnetic resonance imaging makes it possible to visualize the structures of the parapharyngeal space and adjacent spaces, reliably differentiate the location of formations (located in the parapharyngeal space or in the structure of adjacent spaces or extending from other spaces of the neck) and suggest the histological structure of formations at the preoperative stage, which will allow to develop a surgical intervention plan.