Essential imaging of the nasopharyngeal space with special focus on nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

The nasopharyngeal space is an area of complex anatomy with relationship and communication to adjacent structures including muscle, bone, skull base, intracranial spaces making this area difficult to assess in its entirety by direct visualisation. Imaging plays an important role particularly in the visualisation of abnormalities deep to the mucosal surface, with MRI and PET-CT, in particular, playing prominent roles in diagnosis and management. In this paper, we focus on the essentials of imaging in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and discuss relevant imaging in the diagnosis and post-treatment context relevant to potential surgical intervention planning.