[The clinical value of magnetic resonance tomography in cystic space-occupying lesions of the mouth floor].
11 patients with cystic lesions of the floor of the mouth were examined by MR imaging. Coronal slices provided an optimal visualisation of the lesions, but axial and sagittal slices added important information with regard to the exact topographic relationship between tumour and muscles. In particular, the mylohyoid muscle could be defined as a key structure. T1-weighted sequences enabled best visualisation of anatomic details, whereas T2-weighted sequences facilitated the primary diagnosis of cystic lesions. The contrast agent Gd-DTPA did not add information of significant diagnostic value. Our results indicate that MRI allows an exact visualisation of location and extent of cystic lesions and their relationship to surrounding muscles. We conclude that MRI is of high value in planning the operative strategy.