Three-dimensional Imaging for Evaluation of Head and Neck Tumors

Abstract

• Objective. —To determine the usefulness of three-dimensional imaging in addition to computed tomography in presurgical examination of patients with head and neck tumors. Design. —Two-dimensional computed tomographic information from 31 patients with oral facial tumors was converted to three-dimensional images. Setting. —University teaching hospital. Patients or Other Participants. —A consecutive sample of 31 patients with oral facial tumors. Interventions. —None. Main Outcome Measures. —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. (Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1993;119:601-607)