CT and MRI findings of primitive neuroectodermal tumor in the maxillofacial region

To summarize the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of rare primitive neuroectodermal tumors (PNETs) in the maxillofacial region. The clinical data, and CT and MRI findings of seven patients with pathologically proven PNETs in the maxillofacial region were retrospectively reviewed. The patients comprised five males and two females with a mean age of 16.4 years. The tumor location, size, margin, CT attenuation or signal intensity, contrast enhancement characteristics, and involvement of adjacent tissues were assessed. There were a total of seven tumors. Four lesions were located in the masticator space. The lesions were seen as ill-defined (n = 6) or well-defined (n = 1) aggressive masses with a mean size of 5.6 cm. Bone destruction was found in six patients. The density or signal enhancement patterns of the lesions were heterogeneous, with necrosis seen in all seven tumors. Calcification and regional enlarged lymph nodes were not seen in any patients. A large, ill-defined, and aggressive mass in the maxillofacial region of a young patient, associated with heterogeneous density or signal intensity but lack of calcification and regional lymphadenopathy, may suggest a diagnosis of PNET.