[Pretherapeutic and posttherapeutic laryngeal imaging]

Area of Science:

• Radiology and Imaging
• Oncology
• Otolaryngology

Context:

• Endoscopy is standard for laryngeal neoplasm diagnosis.
• Accurate staging and treatment planning are essential for laryngeal cancer.
• Cross-sectional imaging provides vital information beyond endoscopic visualization.

Purpose:

• To highlight the indispensable role of cross-sectional imaging (CT, MRI, PET-CT) in laryngeal neoplasm diagnosis and staging.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding imaging patterns for accurate interpretation.
• To discuss the implications of imaging findings for treatment strategies.

Summary:

• Cross-sectional imaging modalities like CT, MRI, and PET-CT are vital adjuncts to endoscopy for diagnosing and staging laryngeal neoplasms.
• These techniques accurately detect neoplastic invasion into surrounding structures and aid in evaluating the post-treatment larynx.
• While CT and MRI show high sensitivity for invasion, MRI with new criteria can better differentiate tumor from inflammation, improving specificity.

Impact:

• Enhanced pretherapeutic staging accuracy for laryngeal tumors when combined with clinical examination and biopsy.
• Improved characterization of submucosal lesions, guiding biopsies for definitive histological diagnosis.
• Facilitates evaluation of laryngoceles, recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, and fractures, broadening the clinical utility of cross-sectional imaging.