Helical CT of the larynx: a comparative study with conventional CT scan.
OBJECTIVE
To compare helical and conventional CT scans of the larynx.


METHODS
Thirty-three patients underwent helical and conventional CT studies of the neck and the larynx using 3 mm section collimation for both studies and a table feed of 4 mm/sec for helical CT. Helical scans were reconstructed at 2 mm increments. Two independent observers rated the visibility of the laryngeal structures from 1 (poor and non diagnostic) to 5 (excellent and diagnostic), and motion artifacts from 1 (> or = 10 degraded scans) to 5 (no motion artifacts).


RESULTS
The motion artifacts score was significantly better for helical CT. No significant difference was observed for the laryngeal structures score between helical and conventional CT studies. The interobserver kappa mean value was 0.756 and 0.68 for helical and conventional CT, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Helical CT can be routinely performed and replace conventional CT study for the evaluation of laryngeal diseases.
Robert
Y
Y
Service de Radiologie Ouest, Hopital Claude Huriez Chu Lille, France.
Rocourt
N
N
Chevalier
D
D
Duhamel
A
A
Carcasset
S
S
Lemaitre
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D015588:Observer Variation; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012119:Respiration; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging