[Echography in neoplasms of the mesopharynx and the larynx]

Laryngeal and mesopharyngeal cancers are usually diagnosed by means of endoscopy which, however, fails to demonstrate tumor spread to adjacent structures. Aim of the present work is to assess the role of US in the evaluation of these lesions, relative to the demonstration of both the primary tumor with its local spread and metastases. This could help choose the correct therapeutic approach and select the patients ineligible for surgery to treat with chemo-/radiotherapy. Twenty-seven patients underwent US: 9 had mesopharyngeal and 5 supraglottic cancers, 11 had glottic and 2 subglottic lesions. With the only exception of subglottic cancers, US always demonstrated the primary tumor and its spread to anterior and posterior perilaryngeal structures. Moreover, node involvement could be studied. US proved uninformative in demonstrating the posterolateral laryngeal walls, the subglottic area, the presence of deep lymph nodes and the retrocartilaginous structures when associated with calcifications of the thyroid cartilage. In summary, we believe that US can be useful as the first-step imaging modality to stage laryngeal and mesopharyngeal cancers and to follow the patients submitted to chemo-/radiotherapy.