title: Radiologic diagnosis and staging of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: The predominant extracranial head and neck cancer in adults is squamous cell carcinoma. The purpose of this article is to discuss the radiographic evaluation of these patients with computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging prior to therapeutic intervention. Specific focus is given to the efficacy of CT and MR imaging, as an adjunct to clinical staging, for evaluation of the primary tumor, and metastatic adenopathy. MR imaging, because of its improved soft tissue contrast and multiplanar capability, is probably superior to CT for evaluation of the primary tumor in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. CT, however, remains the gold standard for identifying metastatic adenopathy and in most institutions remains the study of choice for evaluating this patient population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinic, Minneapolis.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Madison
authors.forename: K B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Remley
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Latchaw
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008444:Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed