Computed tomography of the nasopharynx and fossa pterygopalatina

CT is--especially since the introduction of thin slice technique--the method of choice for the diagnosis of nasopharyngeal tumors. This method provides better results than the conventional film tomography in determining intracranial tumor extension, osseous destruction of the base of the skull, and involvement of the orbit. Tumor infiltration into the pterygoid fossa is also well seen by the third generation of CT. In particular CT scans are superior to conventional tomography in delineating tumor extension to the parapharyngeal and retromaxillary space as well as in recognition of cervical lymph node involvement.