[Optical coherence tomography : significance of a new method for assessing unclear laryngeal pathologies].
BACKGROUND
Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technology of as yet unknown significance in laryngology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of this noninvasive method to reliably predict diagnosis and possible malignancy in laryngeal disease.


METHODS
In a prospective study, a total of 225 laryngeal lesions in 201 consecutive patients were examined during elective microlaryngoscopy. Clinical assessment under the operating microscope with and without OCT was compared with conventional histopathology.


RESULTS
For all cases, diagnosis gained by OCT was significantly superior to microlaryngoscopy alone. In particular, the exact grade of dysplasia could be better determined with the help of OCT, whereas statistical significance was just barely missed for the prediction of benign lesions. Additionally, OCT proved to be a very helpful method for identifying malignant tumors of the larynx.


CONCLUSIONS
OCT is a simple, rapid, and reliable aid in the diagnostic investigation of unclear laryngeal pathologies, especially of laryngeal cancer and its precursor lesions.
Kraft
M
M
Klinik für Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Heilkunde, Kopf- und Halschirurgie, Kantonsspital AG, Tellstrasse, CH-5001, Aarau, Schweiz. marcel.kraft@gmx.ch
Glanz
H
H
von Gerlach
S
S
Wisweh
H
H
Lubatschowski
H
H
Arens
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*