Evaluation of gray-scale ultrasonography in the investigation of oral and neck mass lesions.

The clinical applicability of gray-scale ultrasonography to oral and neck mass lesions was investigated. Ultrasonographic findings of pattern, boundary echo, internal echo, and posterior wall echo were correlated with pathologic findings in 22 surgically treated cases. Using this method, the solid or cystic nature, the size, the shape, and the location of the lesions could be determined preoperatively. Because it lacks radiation hazard, ultrasonography appears to be the diagnostic method of choice for patients with enlarged oral and neck tumors.