The role of computed tomography in tumours of the larynx

A clinical study of computed tomography (CT) was undertaken in 35 patients with tumours involving the larynx. Twenty-seven had primary laryngeal neoplasms, five had tumours arising in adjacent structures but invading the larynx and three who had undergone total laryngectomy were investigated for possible recurrence. The findings were compared with conventional radiological methods and clinical assessment. Confirmation was obtained from laryngectomy specimens in four patients and at autopsy in one. CT provided additional preoperative information on 14 occasions. This included better delineation of submucosal tumour extent, invasion of the pre-epiglottic space and cartilage displacement in invasion.