Enhanced four-detector row computed tomography imaging of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

Four-detector row computed tomography (4D CT) enables imaging of the larynx and hypopharynx with high temporal resolution and rapid reformatting of coronal planes. The aim of our study was to assess the usefulness of postcontrast biphasic 4D CT in diagnosing tumor extent.

Forty-seven patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer were investigated using 4D CT. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated transverse and reformatted coronal images in both the early and late phases.

Images in the late phase were superior to those in the early phase in the conspicuity of the depicted lesions. The coronal images facilitated assessment of the craniocaudal extension of tumors and obliteration of the paraglottic space. The maximal diameter of tumors tended to be larger on the coronal image than on the transverse image.

Images in the late phase were more informative than images in the early phase to demonstrate tumor extension. Reformatted coronal imaging was useful in evaluating craniocaudal extension.