Three-dimensional imaging for evaluation of head and neck tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the usefulness of three-dimensional imaging in addition to computed tomography in presurgical examination of patients with head and neck tumors.


METHODS
Two-dimensional computed tomographic information from 31 patients with oral facial tumors was converted to three-dimensional images.


METHODS
University teaching hospital.


METHODS
A consecutive sample of 31 patients with oral facial tumors.


METHODS
None.


METHODS
Improved treatment planning with the use of three-dimensional images used in conjunction with computed tomographic scans.


RESULTS
The three-dimensional images from patients with minimal tumor invasion of bone or with massive soft-tissue tumors allowed easy appreciation of tumor dimensions, an important factor in treatment planning. In patients with small soft-tissue tumors with no evidence of bone involvement on two-dimensional scans, massive tumors with complete bone destruction, and recurrent tumors, the three-dimensional representations added little to the obvious presentation of the two-dimensional scans.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional imaging is a useful adjunct to diagnosis and treatment planning in patients with minimal tumor invasion of bone or with massive soft-tissue tumors.
Friedman
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology and Bronchoesophagology, Rush Medical College, Rush-Presbyterian-St Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, IL 60612.
Mafee
M
M
Ray
C
C
Venkatesan
T K
TK
D003116:Color; D003196:Computer Graphics / Q000295:instrumentation; D000075202:Contraindications; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology; D006257:Head / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*