[Neoplasms of the glomus caroticum: magnetic resonance angiography versus magnetic resonance].

This work was aimed at investigating the diagnostic role of Magnetic Resonance angiography (MRA) versus spin-echo images in the study of carotid paragangliomas. Ten patients affected with carotid paragangliomas were studied; surgery was the gold standard. MR examinations were performed with a superconductive 1.5 T magnet and a linear head coil. T1-weighted (TR 500 ms, TE 15 ms, 256 x 256 matrix) and T2-weighted (TR 2000 ms, TE 15/90 ms, 256 x 256 matrix) spin-echo sequences were acquired. TOF 3D (flash: FA 25 degrees, TR 30 ms, TE 7 ms) MRA images were acquired; coronal and sagittal images were rotated according to the MIP. Spin-echo images demonstrated the typical "salt and pepper" pattern in all cases. In 6 cases (lesion diameter > 3 cm) the vascular structures of the paragangliomas and carotid dislocation were clearly demonstrated by MRA. MRA also depicted carotid dislocation in all cases. In conclusion, in the evaluation of carotid paragangliomas > 3 cm diameter, MRA yields complementary information on vascular structures and dislocation of carotid vessels to spin-echo MR sequences.