Magnetic resonance imaging of the head and neck.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MR) has already gained wide acceptance in the evaluation of intracranial and spinal canal abnormalities. MR also provides excellent resolution of certain tumors of the head and neck and is particularly useful for the evaluation of neoplasms in the vicinity of the skull base. The absence of a bone signal prevents the streaking artifact so troublesome with computerized axial tomography (CT) and allows better definition of tumor. MR does not use ionizing radiation and appears to be an innocuous imaging mode--thus multiple examinations in young patients are not objectionable with MR. The ability to obtain images in multiple planes by control of the magnetic gradients allows for axial, sagittal, and coronal imaging, without changing the supine position of the patient. Multiple projections are helpful in providing better preoperative assessment of the extent and size of certain neoplasms of the neck.