Diagnostic imaging features of congenital nose and nasal cavity lesions

Clin Neuroradiol. 2015 Mar;25(1):3-11. doi: 10.1007/s00062-014-0323-5. Epub 2014 Aug 6.

Abstract

A wide variety of congenital nasal lesions can present to clinical attention due to airway obstruction, the presence of a mass, and/or cosmetic deformity, including pyriform aperture stenosis, choanal atresia, nasopharyngeal atresia, arrhinia, congenital germline fusion cysts, cephaloceles, neuroglial heterotopia, nasolacrimal duct mucoceles, hamartomas, supernumerary nostril, and bifid nose. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, which are the main imaging modalities used to characterize these lesions, often serve complementary roles. Familiarity with embryology and anatomy is also essential for recognizing the diagnostic imaging findings related to congenital nasal lesions.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Nasal Cavity / abnormalities
  • Nasal Cavity / diagnostic imaging
  • Nasal Cavity / pathology
  • Nose / abnormalities*
  • Nose / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nose / pathology
  • Nose Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Respiratory System Abnormalities / diagnosis*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods*