[Initial evaluation of mass lesions in the head and neck with enhanced (Gd-DTPA) MR imaging]

To evaluate mass lesions of the head and neck with enhanced (Gd-DTPA) MR imaging.

Twenty-five of patients (13 males and 12 females; mean: 46.9 years) suffered from mass lesions of the head and neck inspected with Gd-DTPA MR imaging, 17 cases were certificated histopathologically and followed up. The examinations of all patients were carried out with plain T1-weighted spin-echo sequences (TR/TE = 500-600/30), and Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted spin-echo sequences (TR/TE = 300-500/30).

Comparing with plain MR imaging, 23 mass lesions were stained on SE T1-weighted images (23/25) after intravenous administration of Gd-DTPA. The enhanced patterns of these lesions might be divided into homogeneous (10/23) and inhomogeneous (13/23). Gd-DTPA was helpful in delineating extent of 16 mass lesions.

The various morphologic manifestations of enhanced lesions have close relations with their own intimate structures. The enhanced MR imaging is superior to plain MR imaging on displaying the inner structure and extent of diseases and estimating the recurrent lesions.