Pitfalls in imaging: differentiating intravagal and carotid body paragangliomas.

We report a case of an intravagal paraganglioma and a case of a carotid body tumor to illustrate a variable presentation of the former in which it mimicked the latter on preoperative imaging. The atypical imaging features of the intravagal paraganglioma included inferior extension to the level of the carotid bifurcation and splaying of the internal and external carotid arteries, features that are similar to those seen in a case of carotid body paraganglioma. Proper differentiation of these lesions permits more appropriate preoperative counseling and surgical preparation.

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: diagnosis and management.

Advances in imaging and endoscopic techniques have improved the ability to diagnose, localize, and treat in a less morbid fashion CSF leaks of the anterior skull base. An appreciation for the mechanism of leak and of the relationship between CSF production and absorption must be kept in mind when individualizing a repair. Increased CSF pressure caused by overproduction or underabsorption may result in persistence of a leak despite one's best efforts.

Midline maxillary odontogenic keratocyst.

Odontogenic keratocysts are odontogenic cysts of the jaw, usually the mandible. We present a recurrent case in the maxilla. Immunohistochemical staining is necessary to distinguish the entity from other cystic lesions of the jaw, and aggressive surgical management is required.