[Clinical staging of malignant tumors of the head and neck region by the TNM system: contribution of modern imaging procedures].

Currently, the method of choice for evaluation of head and neck cancers is CT, because in many respects it is superior to the other imaging modalities except for MR. For parotid tumors, however, histological grading is of major importance. The staging of tumors of the hypopharynx and larynx can be done just as reliably by CT and microlaryngoscopy; the latter has the advantage of including biopsy. Ultrasound is of primary value in providing information on metastases to the cervical lymph nodes. If CT is used for staging of the primary tumor or planning radiation therapy, then it also can be utilized for the detection of lymphatic spread.