Expert introduction: How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumor?

How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors? Experts say that in addition to paying attention to clinical manifestations, imaging, serology, cytology and pathology examinations should also be performed. Cytology and pathology conclusions are the main basis for diagnosis. Let's take a closer look.

How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors? 1. Imaging examination

1. Lateral nasopharyngeal radiographs and skull base radiographs: Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma should routinely undergo lateral nasopharyngeal and skull base radiographs. Patients suspected of invasion of the paranasal sinuses, middle ear or other parts should also undergo corresponding radiographic examinations.

2. CT examination: Understand the local extension, especially the infiltration range of the parapharyngeal space. This is extremely important for determining the clinical stage and formulating treatment plans.

3. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): It has unique advantages in cranial and brain examinations. It can clearly show when pharyngitis invades the brain. The SE method can be used to display prolonged high-intensity signals of T1 and T2 to diagnose nasopharyngeal carcinoma, frontal sinus cancer, etc., and show the relationship between the tumor and surrounding tissues.

How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors? 2. Serological examination

1. Epstein-Barr virus VCA-IgA: high sensitivity, low accuracy; when the titer is ≥1:40, it has value for early detection and early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal pain.

2. EB virus EA-IgA: low sensitivity, high accuracy. When the titer is ≥1:5, it has a high diagnostic significance for nasopharyngeal tumors.

3. Epstein-Barr virus DNA antibody: When the titer is positive and the neutralization rate is ≥30%, it has certain clinical significance for the early detection and early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal tumors.

How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors 3. Cytological examination

Fine needle aspiration is a simple, easy, safe and efficient examination method. This method can be used first for nasopharyngeal carcinoma or neck masses. The specific method is as follows: ① For puncture of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, use a No. 7 long needle connected to a 20ml syringe. After anesthesia of the oropharynx, apply red mercury to the puncture point, insert the needle into the tumor substance under an indirect nasopharyngeal endoscope to aspirate, apply the extract on a glass slide, and send it for cytological examination. ② For puncture of neck masses, the basic steps are the same as above. Generally, local anesthesia is not required. After local skin disinfection, insert the needle along the long axis of the tumor and aspirate 2-3 times, and the aspirate is subjected to cytological examination.

How to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors 4. Pathological examination

Pathological tissue can be obtained with nasopharyngeal biopsy forceps under indirect nasopharyngeal endoscopy or fiber nasopharyngeal endoscopy for examination; for cases that cannot be diagnosed by nasopharyngeal biopsy, nasopharyngeal mass resection or incisional biopsy can be performed. During the operation, the earliest hard lymph node should be selected, and the entire capsule should be removed as much as possible; if excisional biopsy is indeed difficult, wedge-shaped incisional biopsy can be performed at the mass. The tissue must be removed at a certain depth and squeezing must be avoided.

Regarding how to diagnose nasopharyngeal tumors, I believe we have introduced it in detail above. I hope it can bring more help to you. If you still have any questions, please consult our online experts.