Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of CT scan on the early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal masses.
Method: The results of CT scans and pathological findings to the 59 cases of localized nasopharyngeal masses were summerized.
Result: Among the 44 cases diagnosed by CT scan as nasopharyngeal carcinoma, their pathological findings revealed 35 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 2 cases of non Hodgkin's disease, 3 cases of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis, 3 cases of nasopharyngeal lymphadenosis, and 1 case of nasopharyngeal cyst. Among the 11 cases diagnosed by CT scan as local mucal thicking, their pathological findings demonstrated 2 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 6 cases of chronic inflammation, 1 case of nasopharyngeal tuberculosis, and 2 case of nasopharyngeal cyst. The other 4 cases diagnosed by CT scan as nasopharyngeal fibrohemangioma were confirmed by pathological examination.
Conclusion: CT scan can correctly reveal nasopharyngeal diseases, and benefit early diagnosis. It shows distinctive advanteges in detecting early stage of submucal nasopharyngeal carcinoma and diagnosing nasopharyngeal fibrohemangioma. But there is limitation in differentiating common nasopharyngeal diseases.