Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in head and neck tumors

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is effective for diagnosing tumors and has some advantages over traditional techniques, especially in detecting soft tissue lesions. However, MRI examination has not yet come into use for the differential diagnosis of tumors or for determining whether a tumor is benign or malignant. It has been reported that dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) is useful for the differential diagnosis of some tumors, and many investigators have attempted to use it to identify differences between benign and malignant tumors, as well as to assess the malignancy of tumors. Oral malignancies (carcinomas and sarcomas) may develop as primary lesions originating from any type of oral tissue. The most common oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), followed by salivary grand malignant tumors such as adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACCs) and mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs). Malignant lymphoma is the second most common malignant tumor of the head and neck. In this chapter, we show the roles of MRI and DCE-MRI in the differential diagnosis of SCCs, salivary gland tumors, and malignant lymphoma.