Cysts and Glands of the Head and Neck Region

Kurzfassung:

Cysts and Glands Different cysts and cystic structures exist in the head-and-neck region. They can be congenital or acquired. Congenital cysts include lateral and median neck-cysts. Additionally, cystic structures like ranulas may occur. Lymphangiomas – developing in the fetus – may also simulate cystic malformations. Inflammatory and tumorous cysts are in the group of acquired cystic structures and can be differentiated from each other. Inflammatory cystic structures include abscesses and postinflammatory cysts such as retention cysts. These should be differentiated from tumorous cystic structures, which may be either of benign or malignant origin. Cystic structures max also occur in the salivary glands of the head-and-neck region. In most cases the first method of imaging is ultrasonography. If the diagnosis is not clear, contrastenhanced MDCT or MRI may be used. In very rare cases hybrid imaging such as PET-CT or PET-MR may yield to a correct diagnosis and in the case of malignancy offer the advantage of whole body staging.