[Use of computer tomography in the diagnosis of malignant tumors of the oral cavity].

The site, extent and infiltration of malignant tumours of the face and neck can be evaluated precisely and demonstrated without superimposition by CT. The results of 118 CT-examinations on patients with orofacial malignancies show that in addition to the clinical findings, information of therapeutic relevance can be obtained. The relation of the tumour to surrounding structures, especially the great vessels, airfilled spaces, fat containing spaces and the skull base can be shown reliably. The histological type of the lesion cannot be deduced from CT densitometry. The data of the CT-examination can be used directly for computed radiation treatment planning.