[The value of endoscopic ultrasound examination for tongue neoplasms]

The aim of the paper was to assess the value of endoral ultrasound in tongue tumors diagnostics. It was performed by the evaluation of the tumor advancement and its comparison with palpation, assessment of neoplastic tissue infiltration, detection of satellite foci surrounding the main tumor mass. Endoral ultrasound vs transcutaneous ultrasound was compared. Follow-up by means of transoral ultrasound was applied. The limitations of the method were presented. 65 patients with tongue tumors, treated in ENT Department K. Marcinkowski University School of Medical Sciences between 1995-1999 were under study. 9 patients with suspicion of local recurrence were included to the examined group. Not able value of the method was proved. In 81.5% of cases the method occurred to be much more precise than palpation and revealed the bigger dimension of the tumor then stated clinically. The satellite foci and small lesions, not possible to be detect by means of transcutaneous ultrasound, were find out and thanks to it treated radically. This method allows to differentiate the scarred and neoplastic tissue, especially in patients with clinical suspicion of relapse. The limitations of the method: trismus, big extension of the lesion, surface bleeding and gag reflex are to be listed.