Magnetic resonance imaging vs computed tomography. Comparison in imaging oral cavity and pharyngeal carcinomas.

Twenty-one patients with oral cavity and pharyngeal carcinomas were enrolled in a prospective protocol to study the diagnostic efficacy of magnetic resonance imaging vs computed tomography. Magnetic resonance imaging was found to be superior to computed tomography in the area of tumor contrast (conspicuity) and equal or inferior in edge definition, delineation of regional disease, and lymph node metastasis. These findings are consistent with the current applications and limitations of magnetic resonance imaging.