Solitary oropharyngeal neurofibroma: MR appearance with pathologic correlation and review of the literature

Abstract

Although neurofibroma is a common soft tissue tumor of the head and neck, neurofibroma of the oropharynx is extremely rare. Here, we report a case of neurofibroma of the palatine tonsil. Magnetic resonance imaging was useful in demonstrating the location of the tumor as well as its well-defined appearance. The present case showed a target sign; the tumor exhibited peripheral hyperintensity and central hypointensity on T2-weighted images, reflecting its characteristic zonal anatomy.