[History of diagnostic imaging in the area of the head-neck]

The head and neck region is a limited anatomical area in radiological diagnostics. Nevertheless, head and neck radiology has a long and interesting history with excellent scientists involved in its development. Before the discovery of X-rays, no information about the head and neck could be obtained without surgery or even autopsy. Therefore, conventional radiograms and special projections were an important step forward. During the 1950s, a second diagnostic breakthrough was achieved by the introduction of tomographic techniques. Film tomography was the first step in this important development. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging yielded astonishing and unforeseen results. Especially in the field of magnetic resonance imaging, the technical development has not yet come to an end. Scientific research and continuing education are required in order to achieve further advances in head and neck radiology, and European cooperation is on the way.