[The role of computed tomography in the follow-up of cancers of the head and neck].

The role of computed tomography (CT) in the follow-up after treatment for cancers of the head and neck was evaluated, using patients treated at the Department of Radiology, Osaka University Hospital. CT is one of the useful tools for follow-up after radiotherapy in selected cases of cancers in the oro-, hypopharyngeal and laryngeal regions. The extent of local recurrence cannot easily be estimated by CT after reconstructive surgery. It is recommended that CT be undertaken routinely to check for recurrence during the stable period after surgery. Eight cases are presented.