Masses of the tongue and floor of the mouth: findings on magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of MR imaging for the demonstration of masses in the tongue and floor of the mouth. Nine patients were prospectively examined with MR imaging after physical examination. Imaging protocol included T2 and contrast-enhanced and non-contrast-enhanced T1-weighted turbo spin-echo sequences, and the findings were compared with surgical and histopathological results. Histopathological examination revealed four squamous cell carcinomas, one adenoid cystic carcinoma, two tongue abscesses, and one chronic inflammatory change. The other case was diagnosed as hemangioma depending on clinical and imaging findings alone. In cases with squamous cell carcinoma, staging was done on the basis of MR imaging findings, and was found to be T4 in two cases, T3 in one case, and T2 in another. The primary role of MR imaging of the tongue and oropharynx is not to make a tissue diagnosis. Multiple deep biopsies are mandatory for the differentiation of other inflammatory and neoplastic lesions. Magnetic resonance imaging produces coronal and sagittal image planes to assess the volume and spread of the lesion and helps the surgeon determine the direction in which the biopsy should be performed. Received: 4 October 1999; Revised: 31 January 2000; Accepted: 6 April 2000