title: [Magnetic resonance tomography in questionable lesions of the ENT area. Examination technique and results of a prospective study of 1,493 patients].
abstract: 1493 patients with various lesions in the head and neck region were prospectively evaluated with MR imaging (MRI) and other imaging modalities. The findings of MRI and conventional imaging techniques were correlated with histological findings. All MRI examinations were carried out on a 1.0 and 1.5 Tesla superconducting MR unit employing combined T1 and T2 weighed spin-echo sequences. Dynamic MRI with fast gradient-echo sequences and application of a paramagnetic contrast agent (Gd-DTPA) was additionally performed in 120 patients. 250 patients were examined with non-invasive MR angiography. Appropriate saturation enabled the visualization of either arterial or venous vascular structures. Analysis of metabolic parameters and tumor proliferation was possible through in-vivo spectroscopy in 60 patients. Highest values for specificity and sensitivity of MRI were achieved in the area of the skull base and petrous bone. In comparison to other imaging modalities, the exact differentiation of pathological alterations such as neurinoma, meningioma and glomus tumors succeeded with high accuracy. In the region of the naso- and oropharynx, plain MRI revealed in 77% of the cases adequate diagnostic information, which could be significantly increased with application of the paramagnetic contrast agent Gd-DTPA. Due to multiplanar slice orientation and improved soft tissue differentiation MRI proved to be superior to other imaging techniques in salivary glands and in the region of the neck. As a conclusion, the advantages of MRI are the depiction and visualization of small infiltrations as well as the high sensitivity and specificity of this imaging modality.
authors.affiliation: Radiologische Klinik, Universität München.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Vogl
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Balzer
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grevers
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009682:Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy / Q000379:methods; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010038:Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D010710:Phosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D010710:Phosphates; D004369:Pentetic Acid; D019786:Gadolinium DTPA