Are magnetic resonance imaging findings adequate for differentiating head-and-neck masses as malignant or benign?

Abstract

Purpose: This work aims to determine the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the masses seen in the head-and-neck region and the effectiveness of the MRI in separation of malignant from benign head-and-neck masses through histopathological data. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 86 patients who were referred with prediagnosed as mass in oral, head and neck regions for evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging. MRI images were analyzed according to homogeneity and signal intensity in T1- and T2-weighted images, contrast enhancement pattern, peripheral edge characteristic of the lesion, invasion condition, presence of cystic/necrotic content, and presence of bone involvement of head-and-neck masses. Results: The MRI features of benign and malignant head and neck masses in which signal intensity on T1-weighted MRI images, signal homogeneity on T2-weighted MRI images, contrast enhancement pattern, edge feature and presence of invasion showed a statistically significant difference to determine benignity and malignancy. However, the signal homogeneity in T1-weighted images, signal intensity in T2-weighted images, presence of cystic/necrotic content, and bone involvement did not reveal a statistically significant difference. Conclusions: Overall, our findings were consistent with the literature data. As a result of our study, we recommend that certain MRI features of head-and-neck masses (signal intensity in T1-weighted images, signal homogeneity in T2-weighted images, contrast enhancement pattern, edge feature, and presence of invasion) can be used to differentiate between benign and malignant masses.