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Abstract

This chapter by Dr. Karthik Ganesan, is written with a view to provide every clinician treating head and neck cancer with fundamental radiologic awareness, which is critical for initial and follow-up evaluation of the patient.

Starting with basic principles that underlie the three most widely employed cross-sectional anatomical imaging modalities (CT, MR, and PET-CT), the author provides valuable insights into the specifics for individual subsites within the head and neck area, as well as the additional role of ultrasound imaging.

The crucial significance of imaging in addition to clinical and endoscopic evaluation for a comprehensive understanding of the disease process has been aptly stressed.

The relative advantages and limitations of each modality in given clinical situations are enunciated at length, in order to enable clinicians to articulate an optimal “imaging algorithm” in every situation.

The invaluable role of imaging in understanding processes such as perineural extension, deep soft tissue invasion, and bone involvement has been aptly discussed.

In addition, the role of imaging in picking up early relapses at the primary site and neck has been suitably covered.

Finally, appearances in complicated situations such as Osteoradionecrosis (ORN) and chondronecrosis have been described.

This chapter should be considered a “must” for all practicing Head and Neck Oncology as well as for students and trainees.

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Haribhakti, V.V. (2019). Imaging: What Every Clinician Must Know. In: Restoration, Reconstruction and Rehabilitation in Head and Neck Cancer. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2736-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2736-0_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Singapore

  • Print ISBN: 978-981-13-2735-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-13-2736-0

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