Role of Multi-Slice Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Evaluation of Laryngeal Tumors

Abstract
Background: Imaging of laryngeal tumors is crucial for evaluation, preparing, treatment and for ensuring proper follow-up. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are the main imaging tools. Each modality showed its own advantages for assessment of local, regional or distant staging.
Aim of Study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of multi slice computed tomography and magnetic reso-nance imaging in diagnosis of laryngeal tumors.
Material and Methods: This prospective study included (30) patients in different age groups who were highly suspected with laryngeal tumors or known to be having laryngeal tumor. Patients were referred by Oto Rhino Laryngology (ORL) Department of Tanta University Hospital to the CT Unit & MRI Units of the Diagnostic Radiology & Medical Imaging Department, Tanta University Hospitals. All cases were sub-jected to full history, complete physical examination, radio-logical & medical imaging examination at which all cases were exposed to CT scanning of the neck while only 22 cases of them performed additional MRI examination of the neck. Further endoscopic examination and histopathological corre-lation were done. Data was analyzed by using SPSS.
Results: MRI showed higher accuracy than CT as regards to pathological T staging of laryngeal tumors 244 that showed 86.4% for MRI while 66.7% for CT. Both CT and MRI were equal in evaluation of certain areas as anterior commissure and pyriform sinus while MRI showed higher accuracy in evaluation of other laryngeal subsites namely preepiglottic, paraglottic spaces, posterior commissure, epiglottis, vocal cords, thyroid cartilage extralaryngeal spread.and metastatic lymphadenopathy with the total accuracy higher in MRI than in CT.
Conclusion: MRI could be considered a helpful diagnostic method for pre and post-therapeutic staging of laryngeal tumors specially early glottic lesions and the combined utility of CT and MRI could help to overcome the disadvantages and improve the accuracy specially about thyroid cartilage assessment and T staging of laryngeal carcinomas.