[Computed tomography: the TNM staging of laryngeal carcinoma]

In 64 patients with malignant lesions of the larynx, CT and microlaryngoscopy (ML) were evaluated in terms of T-staging. Histological information was present in all cases following operation. CT showed an accuracy of 90% in T-staging. ML showed an accuracy of only 71% of correct T-staging. CT is superior to ML particularly in distinguishing between stages T3 and T4 and T1 and T2. CT tends to overestimate tumour stage whereas ML tends to underestimate it. CT was also compared with palpation and sonography as regards N-staging. In this respect sonography has the highest accuracy (94%) followed by palpation (76%) and CT (74%).