Virtual endoscopy of laryngeal carcinoma: is it useful?
OBJECTIVE
To compare virtual endoscopy (VE) with flexible endoscopy in patients with cancer of the larynx.


METHODS
This prospective study includes 24 patients with proven cancer of the larynx. Patients underwent spiral CT according to our standard protocol for upper airway imaging. This same set of axial scans was transferred to a dedicated workstation to obtain VE images. Results of VE were compared with the findings of flexible endoscopy.


RESULTS
Quality of the examination was good in 96% of the patients. VE identified all exophytic lesions. Two small flat lesions could be observed as slightly enhanced plaques only on the axial scans. Subglottic extension was correctly demonstrated in all cases by associating VE to the axial scans.


CONCLUSIONS
VE shows high sensitivity in the identification of exophytic lesions of the larynx and can establish relationships between cancer and nearby structures. It can be performed in the presence of severe stenosis and does not require sedation and additional scanning. On the other hand, VE show limits in the identification of flat lesions and does not allow biopsies and functional imaging to be performed.


CONCLUSIONS
VE is a useful tool for staging and presurgery treatment of cancer of the larynx.
Magnano
Mauro
M
Division of Otolaryngology, Ospedale Umberto I Torino, Largo Turati no. 62, 10100 Turin, Italy. otorino@mauriziano.it
Bongioannini
Guido
G
Cirillo
Stefano
S
Regge
Daniele
D
Martinich
Laura
L
Canale
Giovanni
G
Lerda
Walter
W
Galvagno
Maurizio Bona
MB
Taranto
Fausto
F
D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed