Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Head and Neck Emergencies, a Symptom-Based Review, Part 1: General Considerations, Vision Loss, and Eye Pain

Paul M Bunch; Jeffrey R Sachs; Hillary R Kelly; Megan E Lipford; Thomas G West

doi:10.1016/j.mric.2022.04.005

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Head and Neck Emergencies, a Symptom-Based Review, Part 1: General Considerations, Vision Loss, and Eye Pain

Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2022 Aug;30(3):409-424. doi: 10.1016/j.mric.2022.04.005.

Authors

Paul M Bunch¹, Jeffrey R Sachs², Hillary R Kelly³, Megan E Lipford², Thomas G West²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA. Electronic address: paul.m.bunch@gmail.com.
² Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston Salem, NC 27157, USA.
³ Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Department of Radiology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Medical School, 25 Shattuck Street, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

PMID: 35995470
DOI: 10.1016/j.mric.2022.04.005

Abstract

Use of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in the emergency department continues to increase. Although computed tomography is the first-line imaging modality for most head and neck emergencies, MR is superior in some situations and imparts no ionizing radiation. This article provides a symptom-based approach to nontraumatic head and neck pathologic conditions most relevant to emergency head and neck MR imaging, emphasizing relevant anatomy, "do not miss" findings affecting clinical management, and features that may aid differentiation from potential mimics. Essential MR sequences and strategies for obtaining high-quality images when faced with patient motion and other technical challenges are also discussed.

Keywords: Emergency department; Eye pain; Head and neck; Magnetic resonance imaging; Vision loss.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Emergencies
Eye Pain
Head and Neck Neoplasms* / diagnostic imaging
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging* / methods
Neck / diagnostic imaging