Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Assessment of the Maxillofacial Tumors with Intracranial Spread

Introduction: Cranial base surgery is present¬ing a great challenge for every maxillofacial surgeon and neurosurgeon. Diagnostic procedure, MRI and CT are absolutely es¬sential for visualizing this area. Aim: The aim of this study was to compare two diagnostic procedures and to determine which method is more sensitive in detect- ing the skull base encroachment. Patients and methods: In twenty cases, where there clinically confirmed malignant tumors of the maxillofacial region, were performed CT and MRI scan. Results: We found out that MRI discovered more precisely intracranial spread than CT, and there was significant difference between distribution of the results in the MRI and CT diagnostic procedure (p<0.05). When it was made CT scan about 15% shows intracranial spread and in MRI this percent raise up to 45%. Conslusion: MRI and CT are complementary not competitive tools in the evaluation of skull base tumors, and both of them should be used in a routine preoperative procedures. They can be used as a guide to surgical management and helping in making surgical doctrine.