High-resolution magnetic resonance imaging of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: an in vitro study

OBJECTIVES: To determine in vitro the potential of high-resolution MRI for evaluating the depth of tumor invasion of the tongue. METHODS: Twenty-one resected specimens of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were examined on a 1.5T MRI system with a 4 cm surface coil using four different sequences; T1W SE, T2W SE, 3D-FISP and 3D-CISS. The thickness of normal epithelium, tumor depth and width were measured on both MR images and histopathological sections. RESULTS: The mucosal epithelium, lamina propria and muscles of the tongue were clearly identifiable on MRI. All 21 carcinomas, including three early invasive carcinomas, were clearly demonstrated. A high correlation was found between the values measured by MRI and histopathology for thickness of mucosal epithelium and both depth and width of tumors. There was a good agreement between the T2W SE and the other imaging sequences for measurements of both depth and width of tumors. CONCLUSION: High-resolution MR imaging appears reliable for the in vitro evaluation of depth of tumor invasion in carcinoma of the tongue.