[MRI of the nasopharynx with Gd-DTPA: its value and differential diagnostic criteria].

81 patients with masses in the nasopharynx were examined by MRI and CT. In cases of primary lesions of the nasopharynx (such as carcinomas and fibromas), MRI with Gd-DTPA was superior to CT. Secondary tumors involving the nasopharynx were visualized equally well with MRI with Gd-DTPA and CT. The results show that MRI should be the primary method of examination in lesions of the nasopharynx. CT is a secondary procedure useful for showing small areas of bone erosion. MRI with the paramagnetic contrast medium Gd-DTPA permits differentiation between inflammatory, cystic and neoplastic masses.