The role of ultra-high frequency ultrasound (UHF-US) in the study of early stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue.

Abstract

Purpose: This study evaluates the prognostic value of ultra-high frequency ultrasonography (UHF-US) in assessing the depth of invasion (DOI) in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Given the limitations of traditional imaging techniques such as magnetic resonance (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), UHF-US offers a high-resolution alternative for preoperative DOI estimation.

Results: UHF-US demonstrated in literature a high level of accuracy in preoperative DOI measurement, offering improved precision over MRI and CT. The study findings reinforce the clinical importance of DOI as a predictor of nodal metastasis risk and patient outcomes. UHF-US exhibited strong sensitivity and specificity, supporting its role as a valuable tool in guiding surgical decisions.

Conclusion: The study confirms the prognostic significance of DOI in early-stage tongue OSCC and highlights UHF-US as a highly accurate imaging modality for preoperative DOI assessment. UHF-US could play a crucial role in surgical decision-making and patient selection for elective neck dissection. Further research will be needed to validate these findings and explore their practical application in the management of as many oral malignant lesions as possible.