The radiographic evaluation of sinonasal tumors: an overview

It is axiomatic that advances in head and neck imaging improve our understanding of head and neck diseases. Dramatic improvements in radiologic imaging in recent years have, as a corollary, dramatically improved our understanding of sinonasal tumors. Older techniques such as plain film radiography and multidirectional tomography poorly delineate normal anatomy and pathologic changes in the craniofacial region. Modern imaging modalities depict sinonasal tumors and their metastases in detail, yielding information that allows treatment planning to proceed rationally. The radiologic examination is commonly employed as a precise "map" for implementation of therapy, and imaging studies are essential in the follow-up evaluation for tumor residual or recurrence. This article provides an overview of the current contributions made by head and neck radiology to the understanding and clinical management of sinonasal tumors.