Intraoperative B-mode endosonography of tongue carcinoma

Background. Exact estimation of a tumor's size and definition of adequate r esection margins in carcinomas of the tongue are often difficult because of the tumor's extension and deep infiltration. Methods. We developed a method that allows intraoperative visualization and marking of tumor margins: intraoperative endosonography was performed in f ive patients with carcinomas of the tongue with an 8- to 12-MHz linear arra y transducer. The oral cavity was flooded with normal saline solution, and the transducer was immersed therein. This allowed scanning in a noncontact mode. The tumor margins were marked with a surgical suture under endosonogr aphic monitoring. Results. In the five patients studied, histologic margins corresponded to s onographic margins. The sonographic marking proved to be useful during the resection of the tumor, and histologic safety margins were respected in eac h case. Conclusions. This noninvasive procedure provides a quick and reliable orien tation during resection of tongue carcinoma. and a more precise and individ ual definition of resection margins is possible. Intraoperative noncontact use of endosonography is a promising method, and further studies may confir m this. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.