The role of computerized tomography in primary malignant tumors of the nasopharynx. Observations on 20 cases

: 20 patients, with primary tumors of the nasopharynx have been studied over 3 years by CT with a second generation equipment. All cases were bioptically confirmed and 13 undifferentiated carcinomas, 4 differentiated epidermoid carcinomas, 1 adenoid-cystic carcinoma, 2 lymphomas were found. In every case, the CT provided a direct visualization of the lesion and correctly evaluated the extranasopharyngeal spread. This allowed a better T staging by classifying as T3 4 patients previously evaluated, on a clinical and radiological basis, as T2. Moreover, CT showed a circumscribed lesion on the right wall of the nasopharynx in a patient who resulted negative at clinical and radiological examination, and guided the biopsy which resulted positive for tumor. HCT, with a 100% positivity, is a better diagnostic tool with respect to posterior rhinoscopy and conventional radiology, respectively 95% and 88% positivity in the series of the authors. Finally CT was very helpful in therapy planning and post-irradiation follow-up.