Usefulness of dynamic maneuvers in MR evaluation of oral malignancies

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of dynamic maneuvers like "distended cheek" and "tongue deviation" in MR evaluation of oral malignancies. Methods: Ninety nine patients of oral malignancies who reported to this institute for treatment were enrolled in this study. All the patients evaluated with conventional MR imaging and supplemented by additional MR imaging with dynamic maneuvers using T1Weighted and STIR sequences with reduced scan time. Distended cheek imaging was performed in 73 cases of carcinoma cheek, gingiva & RMA (retromolar area) and tongue deviation in 24 cases of carcinoma tongue & floor of mouth. Two cases of carcinoma of lower gingiva performed both maneuvers. In selected cases MR imaging with dynamic maneuvers was also performed following contrast administration. Results: Lesions appearing inseparable from two mucosal surfaces (buccal mucosa and gingiva) on routine MR images were well separated in the distended cheek images in all cases except for two cases who could not perform the maneuvers. Distended cheek images demonstrated involvement of buccogingival sulci in 30 patients of carcinoma of cheek, involvement of cheek in 8 cases of carcinoma gingiva & involvement of gingiva in 6 cases of carcinoma cheek which were not appreciated on routine MR images. Similarly MR imaging with tongue deviation helped in better delineation of tongue lesions in 12 cases and showed involvement of glossogingival sulcus in 5 cases that were not appreciable on routine MR imaging. Conclusion: MR imaging with dynamic maneuvers provide additional information of clinical significance regarding origin and extent of disease in oral malignancies & should supplement the conventional MR imaging in selected cases.