Abstract
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic maneuvers
like "distended cheek" and "tongue deviation" in MR evaluation of oral malignancies.
Methods: Ninety nine patients of oral malignancies who reported to this institute
for treatment were enrolled in this study. All the patients evaluated with conventional
MR imaging and supplemented by additional MR imaging with dynamic maneuvers using
T1Weighted and STIR sequences with reduced scan time. Distended cheek imaging was
performed in 73 cases of carcinoma cheek, gingiva & RMA (retromolar area) and tongue
deviation in 24 cases of carcinoma tongue & floor of mouth. Two cases of carcinoma
of lower gingiva performed both maneuvers. In selected cases MR imaging with dynamic
maneuvers was also performed following contrast administration. Results: Lesions appearing
inseparable from two mucosal surfaces (buccal mucosa and gingiva) on routine MR images
were well separated in the distended cheek images in all cases except for two cases
who could not perform the maneuvers. Distended cheek images demonstrated involvement
of buccogingival sulci in 30 patients of carcinoma of cheek, involvement of cheek
in 8 cases of carcinoma gingiva & involvement of gingiva in 6 cases of carcinoma cheek
which were not appreciated on routine MR images. Similarly MR imaging with tongue
deviation helped in better delineation of tongue lesions in 12 cases and showed involvement
of glossogingival sulcus in 5 cases that were not appreciable on routine MR imaging.
Conclusion: MR imaging with dynamic maneuvers provide additional information of clinical
significance regarding origin and extent of disease in oral malignancies & should
supplement the conventional MR imaging in selected cases.
Keywords
Oral malignancy - Magnetic resonance imaging
