Magnetic resonance permeability for the evaluation of head and neck tumors: Parotid and beyond

Head and neck cancer is the seventh most common cancer globally, with over 300 thousand deaths annually. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of head and neck tumors is a well-known method for its evaluation, although malignant and benign imaging tumors often overlap. Permeability is an advanced method performed by MRI that assist in the diagnosis and evaluation of the neoplasm treatments, having a well-established role in some cases, such as salivary gland tumors, and promising in others, such as squamous cell carcinoma and lymph node evaluation. This pictorial review aims to demonstrate the diverse applications of magnetic resonance permeability imaging in head and neck tumors, highlighting its role in differentiating benign from malignant lesions, such as parotid gland tumors, assessing head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, and evaluating lymph node involvement. By correlating these advanced imaging findings with conventional magnetic resonance techniques, this review aims to enhance radiologists' understanding of the method and its clinical utility in improving diagnostic and treatment planning.