Pterygopalatine fossa: computed tomographic studies.

The CT appearance of the pterygopalatine fossa is described in detail. Anatomic and CT sections were compared in cadavers and patients in axial and coronal CT planes to identify the osseous configuration and vascular and neural contents of the fossa. The normal fat, soft-tissue, and osseous margins are altered by neoplasms in the fossa. CT is an effective technique to evaluate the fossa and contiguous area.