Comprehensive Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Diagnosis of Malignancy in Suspected Tongue Lesions

Abstract

Background: Oral cavity carcinoma, particularly tongue carcinoma, is among the most common malignancies worldwide. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) offers superior visualization of tongue structures, but research on its diagnostic role in Bangladeshi patients is limited. We aim to evaluate the comprehensive role of MRI in the diagnosis of Tongue malignancy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital on 35 clinically suspected tongue carcinoma patients. All underwent MRI for local TNM staging, followed by histopathological confirmation. Diagnostic performance of MRI was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV. Results: Among 35 patients with suspected tongue lesion, MRI was able to identify 20 out of 23 histopathologically proven tongue malignancies, showing a sensitivity of 86.96%, a specificity of 91.67% and 88.57% diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: MRI is a reliable, non-invasive tool for diagnosing and staging tongue carcinoma, showing high sensitivity and specificity, and may aid precise treatment planning in Bangladeshi patients.  J Dhaka Med Coll. 2025; 34(1) : 18-23