[Value of MRI and computerized tomography scanner in oro-buccopharyngeal cancers with bone invasion]

The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the impact of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computed Tomography (CT) in the surgical management of carcinomas with mandibular bone invasion. Thirty-five patients with squamous cell carcinoma of oral cavity or oropharynx, with mandibular spread, were studied with both imaging methods before surgical treatment. We compared the radiographic findings with histologic examination. Sensitivity of CTScan and MRI was respectively 25% and 80% to identify bone invasion. CTScan was found less effective in the assessment of bone invasion before mandibular resection and was considered more radiologist dependent. MRI is becoming the imaging method of choice for these cancers, despite inherent disadvantages including limited availability and increased cost over CTScan. MRI is accurate in large oropharyngeal tumors with extension of base of tongue and pterygoid muscle, and to study bone invasion before surgery in oral cavity tumors.