Computed tomography of the larynx: correlation with anatomic and pathologic studies in cases of laryngeal carcinoma

Seven patients with known carcinoma of the larynx underwent computed tomography (CT) of the larynx prior to surgery. Whole-mount sections of the extirpated larynx cut in the horizontal plane were compared with the corresponding level of the preoperative CT sections to demonstrate the validity of CT scanning in the evaluation of tumors of the larynx. The results indicate that CT scanning accurately demonstrates the anatomic location and gross size of laryngeal tumor, although early invasion of the laryngeal cartilages may be difficult to diagnose with CT. It is concluded that preoperative CT scanning of the larynx is the radiologic procedure of choice for evaluating carcinoma of the larynx.