[Study of the hyo-thyro-epiglottic space by ultrasonography]

The pre-epiglottic space is located superficially at the junction of the larynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx. When it is invaded by a neighbouring cancer, the latter rises to stages 3 or 4 of the TNM classification. The space is explorable by percutaneous ultrasonic scanning of the neck. The present paper gives the first description of the normal sonographic anatomy of the pre-epiglottic space, based on 16 healthy volunteers. It also gives the first description of invasion of that space, based on 18 patients operated upon for ENT (ear, nose and throat) cancers. In 5 of these 18 patients, invasion of the pre-epiglottic space was proven at histology. There were 3 positive and no false negative results, but 3 false positive results were obtained at the beginning of the series. The accuracy of ultrasounds in this study was 83 per cent.