THE ROLE OF MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING IN THE DIAGNOSIS AND STAGING OF ORAL SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA: CASE REPORTS

Abstract

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is oral cancer with various clinical presentations. Therefore, to assist in establishing the diagnosis, supporting examinations are needed, one of which is MRI which is non-invasive and harmless to the patient. This case report aims to describe 3 suspected cases of OSCC and the differential diagnosis of chronic traumatic ulcers using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to support the diagnosis and staging of OSCC.
Case Report: The first case a 73-years-old woman, complained of canker sores, pain, difficulty chewing since 3 months. Intraoral examination revealed ulcers, irregular, positive induration, 0.5x1cm in size, on the right lateral tongue, tooth region 46. Histopathological examination was performed and the results showed invasion of malignant cells. An MRI was performed with a suspected malignant neoplasm at stage T1N0. The second case, a 45-years-old woman, complained of canker sores on the right tongue, pain and stiffness, since 2 months. Intraoral examination revealed ulcers, irregular, positive induration, size 2x5cm, on the right lateral tongue, tooth region 46-48. On MRI examination, an inhomogeneous solid mass was seen in the right corpus glossus area, accompanied by enlarged lymph nodes. The third case, a 83-years-old woman, complained of canker sores, pain when swallowing, since 3 weeks. Intraoral examination revealed an ulcer, irregular, positive induration, 2mm in size, on therright side of the tongue, in the region of 16 roots. MRI examination showed nodules measuring 9x17mm, suspected inflammatory/infectious lesions accompanied by acute tonsillitis right, less supportive of malignant neoplasms.
Conclusion: Non-invasive MRI plays an important role in establishing a definitive diagnosis and staging OSCC