Founded in 1993
  Year: 2000 | Volume: 8 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 51-53
  Original Article
  THE VALUE OF MRI IN DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING OF SUPRA-HYOID NECK TUMORS
Robert SEMNIC, Rajko JOVIC, Dragana BOGDANOVIC, Aleksandar ZVEZDIN
  DOI:
  Abstract:
  Background: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) introduced new description of the supra-hyoid neck (SHN) based on cross-sectional anatomy which enabled precise exploration of the SHN tumor mass.
Materials and Methods: in the five-year period we retrospectively analysed MRI in 30 patients with supra-hyoid neck tumors, their space of origin according to the cross sectional architecture, extension, relationship with critical structures and nodal metastasis. Finally we assessed tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) staging.
Results: cross-sectional anatomy of the SHN obtained on MRI ensures all necessary criteria for the accurate evaluation of the supra-hyoid neck tumor (SHNT). 2/3 of all patients were S4 staged and 19% of patients were in S3 stage. Our study approved MRI as the method of choice for the SHNT evaluation due to superior soft tissue contrast resolution and capability of the multiplanar imaging. For the same reasons, MRI is also the best technique to detect small or occult lesions in patients presented with positive neck lymph nodes but with negative clinical nasopharynx examination. Detection of tumor extension along nerves and vessels is earlier and better seen with MRI than with any other diagnostic tool. The final result of using MRI is to stage primary or nodal tumor which proved to be an accurate method but required more expirience. MRI is the superb method in follow-up of irradiated patients and allows differentiation between tumor recurrence and postirradiation fibrosis.
Conclusion: All patients with supra-hyoid neck tumors and those patients suspected to have a supra-hyoid neck tumor should be examined on magnetic resonance imaging and the major task of the radiologist is to determinate the exact tumor extent.
  Key words: Head and neck; Head and neck tumors; Magnetic resonance imaging, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; TNM staging
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Founder and owner: Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, Serbia
Publisher: Oncology Institute of Vojvodina
Co-publisher: Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad
Online since 1997 (Abstracts only); 2000 (Abstracts and Full text)
ISSN: 0354-7310 eISSN: 1450-9520