核磁共振影像檢查對口腔癌頸部淋巴結轉移的診斷價值

In order to assess the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance image (MRI) in neck lymph node status, a retrospective study was conducted. Between July 1990 and June 1994, in the Department of Otolaryngology, Sun Yat-Sen Cancer Center, 21 histologically proved oral cavity cancer patients were included in this study. After thorough physical examination and MRI study of head and neck region, 22 neck dissections were performed. A comparison was made between preoperative physical examination, preoperative MRI study and postoperative histological examination result. The accuracy rate for physical examination was 77.3% (17/22) and that for MRI was 86.4% (19/22). There were 2 false negative cases and one false positive case by MRI study. We concluded that MRI is superior to physical examination in the diagnosis of cervical metastasis from oral cavity cancer. However, it is
impossible to make an exact diagnosis with MRI study alone. The final diagnosis of neck lymph node status still depends on pathological study.