The head and neck is a region of considerable anatomical and functional complexity, making the accurate staging of a head and neck neoplasm a challenging task. The clinician often detects pathology, but may not appreciate, based on the physical examination, the entire submucosal tumor extension, nor the possible regional and distant disease spread. The introduction of CT and MRI has revolutionized head and neck radiology. Current radiological modalities provide a reliable visualization of the head and neck structures to an unprecedented level of detail. If carefully performed and interpreted, modern radiological techniques allow a comprehensive evaluation of the extent of pathological processes
