Imaging of the oropharynx and oral cavity

Imaging methods play a significant role in the diagnosis of oropharynx and oral cavity lesions. Contrast-enhanced CT has been established as the baseline technique for T- and N-staging of malignomas. CT yields significant additional information to clinical methods, especially in examining large tumors. With an examination time of only 10 minutes, it is the method of choice. MR imaging requires more time (40 minutes or more) but the superior tissue contrast allows the depiction of smaller lesions. The use of fast gradient-echo sequences in combination with the application of gadolinium diethylenetriamine penta-acetic acid offers new perspectives. High-resolution real-time ultrasound in the hands of an experienced examiner may be helpful because it is easily available; however, it does not allow a complete tumor staging.