[Value of computerized tomography and magnetic resonance tomography in diagnosis of malignancies of the mouth cavity and oropharynx].

Problem: There is a lack of clear criteria for the use of MR and CT in the diagnosis of head and neck cancer--some of it is even contradictory. The results of this study should lead to the establishment of more clear criteria.

Patients: 165 patients suffering from head and neck tumors were subjected to a total of 463 CT and 197 MRI examinations.

Results: The CT and MRI staging corresponded in 67% and 60% of the oropharynx tumors, respectively, with the clinical findings. In the case of oral cavity tumors, the clinical TNM stages were identical with CT and MRI results in 50% and 43% of cases, respectively. In the case of lymphatic node staging, the frequency of error was slightly higher using MRI, at 27%, compared with the CT rate of 22%. In the evaluation of cervical lymphatic nodes, CT proved to be more sensitive attaining 78% compared to the MRI rate of 69%.

Conclusion: The results provide clear indications as to the MRI and CT examinations. Primary preoperative screening and post-therapeutic aftercare should be assessed using CT, as should lymphatic node diagnosis in the neck area. In the case of special problems such as, for example, the relevant bone and periostium infiltration, MR should be considered as a supplementary examination at a second stage.