Staging of carcinoma of the palatine tonsils by computed tomography

In a retrospective study of 24 patients with biopsy-verified tonsillar malignancies, the tumoral staging by CT and by clinical examination were compared, applying the criteria of the 1983 edition of the International Union Against Cancer; the T classifications corresponded well. The N classifications, however, differed, as CT showed more advanced lymph node disease than indicated by clinical examination. Involvement of the jugulodigastric node was diagnosed equally well by CT and by palpation. Computed tomography revealed more suspect nodes than palpation in the rest of the anterior chain and in the posterior triangle.