[The morphological and functional diagnosis of the head-neck area with multiplanar spiral CT].
PURPOSE: To evaluate the improvement of multislice-spiral CT in the assessment of head and neck tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 80 patients with suspected tumor in the head and neck region were examined with MSCT (Somatom Plus 4 VZ) after the administration of i.v. contrast material. Slice collimation was 4 x 1 mm with a pitch factor of 6. Additional multiplanar reformations were calculated in each case. RESULTS: The specific anatomy and pathways of tumor spread is difficult to demonstrate in cross-sectional imaging. Tumor infiltration of the base of the skull or the palate could be depicted or excluded on coronal MPR, additional coronal scanning was not necessary. The detection of pathologic lymph nodes was improved with MPR in 7 patients. DISCUSSION: The exact determination of tumor margins is mandatory for modern therapy concepts of limited surgery. High resolution datasets are basis for reformations in arbitrary planes, making additional coronal scanning not necessary. Functional imaging of the larynx and hypopharynx improve the diagnostic accuracy of CT, a short scan time is necessary to reduce motion artifacts. Conclusive assessment of tumor infiltration, lymphatic spread and functional alterations is improved with MSCT.