Anatomy and Corresponding Oncological Imaging of the Neck

Abstract

High-resolution (HR) multislice computed tomography (MSCT) has become the essential tool for the evaluation of malformations, trauma, and especially tumors of the midface and head and neck region. Important for an adequate evaluation of pathologic findings in the head and neck region is a profound knowledge of the organization of the anatomic compartments and their neighboring relation. Therefore, CT scanning of different head and neck regions should be fitted for the special needs of the anatomic region under investigation, for example, particular adjusted protocols for the evaluation of the larynx. The rapid technical improvement of MSCT in recent years has made CT the first-choice imaging modality in many clinical conditions. The thinner slice collimation with improved anatomic detail visualization, the considerably reduced scanning time, and the possibility to calculate multiplanar reconstructions (MPR) from the scanned volume data set have contributed to the ascent of CT scanning in head and neck oncology. Especially helpful is the ability of cross-sectional imaging to reveal pathologic conditions that are not detectable by endoscopy or in the setting of staging underestimated due to submucosal spread. The aim of this article is to provide protocol suggestions for MSCT of the head and neck regions on the basis of a tailored review of the most important anatomic structures and their pathologic conditions.