Abstract：Objective: To explore the features of the single solid tumor in carotid space(CS) and its clinical significance. Materials and Methods: Nineteen cases of neurogenic tumors and 28 cases of lymph node tumors in CS confirmed by surgery, biopsy and clinic (with confirmed primary tumor) were collected. All patients had CT plain and enhanced scans. The transverse and sagittal diameter of tumor in the largest cross-section were measured. Multi-planar reconstruction(MPR) was made along two planes. In the coronal plane and sagittal plane, the transverse diameter, sagittal diameter and longitudinal diameter of tumor were measured. The morphological characteristics of tumor and adjacent relations in the three reconstruction plane were observed and the ratio of the two diameters was calculated. Results: Neurogenic tumor and lymph node tumor were all mainly round in shape. The former caused the lateral displacement of the main neck vessels, the latter caused the medial displacement of the main neck vessels. The average ratio of the two diameters were: 1.22±0.38, 1.18±0.25, t=2.31, P>0.05. In the coronal and sagittal MPR, 15 cases of neurogenic tumors were oval or fusiform, 21 cases of lymph node tumors were round. The “nerve tail sign” was showed in one pole(3 cases) and bipolar(1 case) of 4 neurogenic tumors. In the coronal MPR, the average ratio of the two diameters successively followed by: 2.25±0.98, 1.48±0.38, t=5.27, P<0.05. In the coronal MPR: 2.57±1.06, 1.69±0.45, t=6.22, P<0.05. Conclusion: The axial position is useful in demonstration of the relationship between the tumor and adjacent structures in CS, MPR is useful in demonstration of the morphological characteristics of tumor in CS. A combination of both will further helpful for the diagnosis.
2010, Vol. 21 
