[Virtual laryngoscopy of neoplastic pharyngeal and laryngeal pathology].
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated the feasibility and clinical value of high-resolution virtual laryngoscopy (VL) based on helical CT data sets.


METHODS
Fifteen patients with neoplastic laryngeal pathology underwent helical CT examination performed with  controlled  breath. The CT data were downloaded to a workstation equipped with software for three-dimensional rendering (Silicon Graphics O2, Vitrea Visualization 1.2.8). Two radiologists using  Fly Through  software generated both antegrade and retrograde endoluminal virtual endoscopy navigations of the larynx. The results of the radiological study were compared with conventional endoscopy findings.


CONCLUSIONS
Virtual laryngoscopy provided the correct diagnosis in 13 of 15 cases. VL is capable of simulating the visual findings of endoscopy in cases of laryngeal tumors and subglottic stenosis. Small and plane tumors of the vocal chords are not adequately visualized. This technique appears to be useful both as biopsy guide during conventional laryngoscopy and as a correct pre-surgery staging, particularly in stenotic tumors.
Guazzaroni
M
M
Dipartimento di Diagnostica per Immagini e Radiologia Interventistica, Università degli Studi Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
Turchio
P
P
Di Rienzo
L
L
Coen Tirelli
G
G
Garaci
F
F
Simonetti
G
G
D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*