Oral cavity, oropharynx, and salivary glands

In the oral cavity and oropharynx, the predominant disease is cancer, which arises, in most cases, from the oral mucosa. Therefore, radiologists have a minor role in the detection of the disease but help to define the exact extent of the lesion and have an important role in therapeutic planning. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the imaging modalities of choice. In the salivary glands, nonmodalities are numerous and include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, sialography, sonography, and scintigraphy. The role of radiologists is to select the best study to determine the nature of the lesion and its extent and consequences. The choice of first study is primarily based on physical examination.