title: Multidetector computed tomography in nonmalignant laryngeal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) is the examination of choice for laryngeal imaging in benign and malignant lesions. This review gives an overview of the MDCT scanning technique and discusses the advantages and disadvantages in investigation of benign lesions of the larynx.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MDCT is not the primary diagnostic method for benign lesions on the vocal folds. However, CT is indispensable for the diagnostic investigation of immobility of the vocal fold, for laryngoceles, and for laryngeal trauma, and may allow the exact delineation of extension and nature of benign laryngeal disease. The improved spatial resolution with consecutive high-quality two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions using thin-slice MDCT allows a better detection of laryngeal anatomic structures and benign pathologies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The investigation of choice in diagnosing the cause of hoarseness is laryngoscopy and/or laryngostroboscopy, respectively. Nevertheless, thin-slice MDCT with multiplanar 2D and 3D volume-rendered reconstructions is essential for exact anatomic definition and extension and diagnosis of subtle benign laryngeal diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland. cstorck@uhbs.ch
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Storck
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Buitrago-Tellez
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D059608:Laryngocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007830:Larynx / Q000293:injuries; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging