Imaging differential diagnosis of carotid body tumor and schwannoma in carotid space / 中国医学影像技术

ABSTRACT

Objective To observe imaging characteristics of carotid body tumor and schwannoma in carotid space. Methods CT, MRI and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) appearances of 16 patients with carotid body tumors and schwannomas in carotid space confirmed pathologically were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 patients with carotid body tumors and 8 patients with schwannomas. Six patients with carotid body tumors and 5 patients with schwannomas underwent CT plain scan. All the patients underwent MR plain and contrast-enhanced scan. Four patients with carotid body tumors and 2 patients with schwannomas underwent DSA examination. Results CT Six carotid body tumors were lobulated soft tissue masses. The density of the tumors was similar to neck muscles. Two carotid body tumors involving jugular foramen expanded jugular foramen, and the margin was irregular and erosion-destructive. Five schwannomas were ovoid or fusiform soft tissue masses. The density of the tumors was mixed. Two schwannomas involved jugular foramen expanded jugular foramen, and the margin was smooth. MRI Eight carotid body tumors were lobulated, well-defined, longitudinal growth masses with characteristic high-velocity flow voids. The tumor splayed and surrounded internal carotid artery and external carotid artery. The diameters of the arteries were normal. The tumors intensely enhanced on contrast-enhanced MRI. Eight schwannomas were ovoid or fusiform, well-defined, longitudinal growth masses with heterogeneous signal, splaying carotid artery and jugular vein. The diameters of the vessels were narrow. The tumors nonuniformly enhanced on contrast-enhanced MRI. DSA Four carotid body tumors showed intense tumor blush, while 2 schwannomas showed slight tumor blush. Conclusion According to the imaging characteristic of the tumors, carotid body tumor and schwannoma in carotid space can be accurately differentiated.