Spread of carcinoma of the base of the tongue as detected by computer tomography.

21 patients with histologically proven carcinoma involving the base of the tongue were studied with computer tomography utilizing a high dose of intravenous infusion of contrast material. Computer tomography demonstrated not only excellent visualization of the primary carcinoma at the base of the tongue, but also its traditional means of spread to contiguous soft tissues of the pharyngeal walls and lymph node metastasis. Computer tomography also demonstrated the unusual spread to the retropharyngeal lymph nodes and nasopharynx. Computer tomography with high-dose intravenous contrast is the best radiographic modality for the evaluation of carcinoma of the base of the tongue.