The aim of this study is to evaluate the sinonasal complex to identify the main findings and to determine the diseases in this area. An accurate analysis of the local extent and tumoral dissemination through computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging plays a significant role in the therapeutic planning, also affecting the prognosis.

Keywords: Nasal sinuses, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role, especially of computed tomography, in the staging of maxillary sinus carcinomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten cases of carcinoma treated in Hospital Heliópolis Department of Diagnostic Imaging and Head and Neck Surgery, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, in the period between 1988 and 2002, were evaluated. RESULTS: Nine patients presented with tumor extension to the cheek, eight to the masticator space, seven to the mouth floor and hard palate, five to the pterygoid fossa, five to the orbit, three to the ethmoid bone, and one to the skull base. Three of the patients were staged T3, and seven T4. Two patients had lymph nodes metastases at their initial presentation, and were staged T4. All of the cases were histopathologically confirmed. CONCLUSION: The accurate analysis of the tumor local extent and dissemination by means of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging plays a relevant role in the surgical planning, besides influencing the therapeutic conduct and prognosis.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma, X-ray tomography, Cancer, Maxillary sinus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of computed tomography in the assessment of deep extension of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the period between May 1995 and December 2003 six patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal were submitted to computed tomography scan at "Hospital Heliópolis", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, including axial and coronal slices with soft tissue and bone algorithms. RESULTS: Thickening of the soft tissue of the external auditory canal was seen in all patients, bone erosion and invasion of the middle ear in five (83.3%), invasion of the mastoid and parotid gland in four (66.7%), invasion of the temporomandibular joint in three (50%), and invasion of the middle cranial fossa, carotid canal and cervical lymph node enlargement in two (33.3%) patients. CONCLUSION: Assessment of deep extension of squamous cell carcinoma of the external auditory canal using computed tomography is useful for clinical staging of the disease allowing better therapeutic planning for these patients.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma, External auditory canal, Computed tomography

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the role of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the characterization of deep tissue extension of malignant tumors of the nasal cavity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve patients diagnosed with malignant tumors of the nasal cavity were retrospectively evaluated at the Departments of Diagnostic Imaging and Head and Neck Surgery of the "Complexo Hospitalar Heliópolis", São Paulo, Brazil, between 1990 and 2000. All cases were confirmed by histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Extension to the maxillary and ethmoid sinuses was identified in six patients, extension to contralateral nasal cavity, orbit and lamina cribosa in five patients, extension to nasal pharynx and masticator space in two patients, extension to cavernous sinus, anterior/middle cranial fossa, pterygomaxillary fossa, inferior/superior orbital fissure, frontal sinus, contralateral ethmoid sinus, contralateral lamina cribosa, hard palate and pterygopalatine fossa in one patient. CONCLUSION: It is important to precisely assess the local extension and spread of tumor by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in order to plan the approach to treatment, which will influence the prognosis.

Keywords: Nasal cavity, Malignant neoplasm, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

Elongated styloid process or Eagle's syndrome is a multifactorial disease with unspecific characteristics on clinical and imaging examinations. The use of imaging methods in combination with the signs and symptoms are valuable in the confirmation of the diagnosis since they show the extension of the styloid complex, the muscles and ligaments, and adjacent structures. The diagnosis can be established when there is an association of clinical information and imaging findings. The authors report two cases of elongated styloid process including the imaging findings, mainly obtained using computed tomography.

Keywords: Eagle's syndrome, Diagnosis, Computed tomography

Ameloblastomas are benign odontogenic neoplasms of epithelial origin, nonmineralized, relatively uncommon which present an aggressive local behavior. They affect predominantly the mandible and they can reach varied proportions depending on the evolution time. Radiographically they appear as unilocular or multilocular cystic lesions. The clinical and radiological findings assist to the differential diagnosis, although the histologic evaluation is necessary in characterization of the lesions.

Keywords: Ameloblastoma, Mandible, Diagnosis

The sublingual space is a semilunar shaped space of the floor of the mouth that extends from the internal surface of the alveolar edge to the base of the tongue. The sublingual space is located medially to the mylohyoid muscle, which separates the sublingual space from the submandibular space, anteriorly to the hyoglossus-styloglossus complex, and is medially bounded by the genioglossus muscle. It contains the sublingual gland, the deep portion of the submandibular gland, the submandibular duct, the lingual artery and vein, the lingual nerve and the cranial nerves IX and XII. The relationships of the sublingual space are very important since lesions originating from the oropharynx and oral cavity can extend into this area whereas lesions arising from the sublingual space readily spread to involve the adjacent submandibular space. The authors present an anatomical and functional description of the structures within the sublingual space and discuss the diseases occurring in this region. Imaging methods are useful in the assessment and understanding of the lesions in the sublingual space and may help in the clinical and surgical management of the patients.

Keywords: Sublingual space, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

The authors report two cases of patients with Madelung's disease, a symmetric fat deposit in the neck and superior mediastinum that involves nerves and vessels. Computed tomography can reveal the fat contents of these masses and guide preoperative staging and post-surgical follow-up.

Keywords: Madelung's disease, Cervical lipomatosis, Computed tomography

Magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are important additional methods for the diagnosis of oral cavity diseases. The technical aspects of both methods are discussed including their advantages and limitations. The anatomy of the oral cavity is reviewed as well as some characteristics of squamous cell carcinoma, which is the most frequent neoplasia in this region.

Keywords: Oral cavity, Computed tomography, Magnetic resonance imaging

The authors studied seven patients with gingival carcinoma attended at the Head and Neck Surgery and Otorrhinolaryngology Service and the Diagnostic Imaging Service of "Complexo Hospitalar Heliópolis", São Paulo, SP, Brazil, between 1985 and 1996. Squamous cell type carcinomas were identified in all cases. All patients were male (100%) aged 48-72 years. Computed tomography was performed in six patients (85.6%). Four patients (57.1%) had not received any treatment before imaging examination whereas three patients (42.8%) had already been submitted to surgery or radiotherapy. The authors analyzed the primary site of the tumor and its extension to the mandible (5/7 cases; 71.4%), the floor of the mouth (3/7 cases; 42.8%), the floor of the maxillary sinus (1/7 cases; 14.2%) and the retromolar trigonum (1/7 cases; 14.2%). Metastatic lymph nodes were observed in five patients (71.4%). Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy and histopathological examination in all cases. Comparison with surgical findings was possible in five cases (71.4%).

Keywords: Gingiva, Malignant tumors, Gingiva