Clinical examination, CT and US in tongue cancer staging

Since staging of tumours in the region of tongue and floor of the mouth by clinical examination alone is inadequate, various imaging methods are utilized to obtain better pretreatment information. Since the value of ultrasonography for the staging of head and neck cancer is still controversial a comparative prospective study was carried out on 41 patients. A total of 49 sets of CT, US and clinical examination were correlated with surgical findings (n = 28) or with the results of extensive biopsy or long-term follow up (n = 21). Ultrasound was the most accurate modality for evaluation of tongue lesions and was able to document even small extension of tumour into the lateral pharyngeal wall. CT proved more accurate in the assessment of the extent of lesions in the parapharyngeal space and the evaluation of bony invasion.