Endoscopic ultrasound of the larynx

Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) of the larynx is a vertical endoscopic imaging technique that gives further information about the extension of a lesion apart from normal white light endoscopy, chromoendoscopy, as well as palpation. It combines the advantages of ultrasound and endoscopy. Miniprobes or ultrasound endoscopes with 10-20 MHz are applied. The present review is focused on the use of EUS in the larynx especially in the management of laryngeal cancer.

At present, the larynx is routinely assessed by computed tomography and MRI. Alternatively, endoscopic endoluminal application of miniprobes enables the laryngologist to predict the exact extension of a laryngeal tumor larger than 3 mm during microlaryngoscopy before surgery is performed. Generally, tumors are hypoechoic and can easily be differentiated from the surrounding tissue especially in the hyperechoic supraglottic structures. Thyroid cartilage infiltration can be detected by the interruption of the hyperechoic inner perichondrium.

EUS proved to be a reliable imaging tool for the investigation of laryngeal lesions and can easily be used during microlaryngoscopy. It offers a higher image resolution compared with computed tomography and MRI and allows a complete sonographic evaluation of the larynx as well as its pathological changes, especially laryngeal cancer. VIDEO FILE LINK: http://links.lww.com/COOH/A19.