Head and Neck

Abstract

Despite growing technology, the radiological assessment of head and neck lesions has still some difculties in certain cases because of the complex anatomy of this region, the small and mobile structures it harbors, and the apposition of the mucosal surfaces in the neutral position. Computed tomography (CT) is the standard modality for head and neck imaging and is more commonly used compared to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The introduction of multi-detector row CT has contributed to these properties [1-3]. Using multidetector CT (MDCT), the entire neck can be imaged in 2-4 seconds. The short acquisition time increases patient cooperation, improves the diagnostic value of the scans, and makes it more convenient for patients who have difculty tolerating MRI, and it also eliminates motion artifact. Advances in MDCT technology have also resulted in scans with lower radiation doses. Improvements in the spatial and temporal resolution enable better imaging of small, moveable anatomical structures, such as the larynx. Conversely, for evaluating regions involving predominantly soft-tissuestructures (e.g., the nasopharynx and the parapharyngeal space [PPS]), MRI is superior to CT.