RAD CT Guide

• Soft tissue mass of the neck-  x-ray or US inconclusive & MRI contraindicated

• Lower cranial nerve syndromes or palsies- initial imaging

• Unilateral & isolated palatal or tongue paralysis/weakness- initial imaging

• Trapezius and sternocleidomastoid muscle paralysis/weakness (unilateral & isolated)- initial imaging

• Vocal cord paralysis (unilateral & isolated)- initial imaging

• Laryngotracheal injuries/trauma

• Neck mass (non-pulsatile or pulsatile)

• Parotid region mass

• Hyperparathyroidism (primary)
  - initial imaging
  - Persistent or recurrent after parathyroid surgery

• Hyperparathyroidism(secondary or tertiary)- initial imaging

• Soft tissue infection of the neck:
  - Suspected Ludwig angina secondary to dental infection.
  - History of puncture wound with possible retained foreign body (x-ray normal)
  - No puncture wound, soft tissue gas on x-ray
  - Necrotizing fasciitis highly suspected

• Thyroid cancer
  - differentiated, pre-op evaluation
  - differentiated, recurrence suspected
  - medullary, recurrence suspected

• Suspected or diagnosed cancer of the oral cavity / oropharynx / hypopharynx / larynx / or cancer of unknown primary of the head and neck- initial staging

• Suspected or diagnosed nasopharynx cancer or EBV-associated unknown primary of the head and neck- Initial staging

• Suspected or diagnosed cancer of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity- Initial staging

• Suspected or diagnosed cancer of a major salivary gland (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands) - Initial staging.

• Treated cancer of the oral cavity / oropharynx / hypopharynx / larynx or cancer of unknown primary of the head and neck- Surveillance imaging or follow-up imaging for suspected or known recurrence.

• Treated nasopharynx cancer or EBV-associated unknown primary of the head and neck-Surveillance imaging or follow-up imaging for suspected or known recurrence.

• Treated cancer of the paranasal sinuses or nasal cavity- Surveillance imaging or follow-up imaging for suspected or known recurrence

• Treated cancer of a major salivary gland (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual glands) - Surveillance imaging or follow-up imaging for suspected or known recurrence.

CT Neck Contrast- Soft tissue window (axial)