SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS THAT ARISE IN THE ORAL CAVITY AND TONGUE BASE - CAN CT HELP PREDICT PERINEURAL OR VASCULAR

PURPOSE: To determine the ability to use computed tomography (CT) to p redict invasion of adjacent nerves or vessels by oral cavity tumors. M ATERIALS AND METHODS: Contrast material-enhanced CT scans and histopat hologic reports were retrospectively reviewed in 48 patients (36 men, 12 women) aged 38-75 years who underwent gross total resection of squa mous cell carcinomas arising in the tongue, the base of the tongue, an d the floor of the mouth. CT criteria for diagnosis of perineural or v ascular invasion were aggressive tumor margins, invasion of the sublin gual space, and direct adjacency of the tumor to the enhanced lingual vasculature in the sublingual space. CT and histopathologic findings o f perineural and/or vascular invasion by tumor were correlated in all patients. RESULTS: With the above criteria, CT findings predictive of perineural or vascular invasion had a sensitivity of 88%; specificity, 83%; positive predictive value, 85%; and negative predictive value, 8 4%. CONCLUSION: CT findings can be used to predict perineural or vascu lar invasion by oral cavity tumors.