title: Real-time and three-dimensional MRI for diagnosis of pharyngoceles.
abstract: In the evaluation of patients with local pathologic dilatation inside the upper airway a pressure-related testing seems important for understanding its pathophysiology and for developing a concept of intra-individually adjusted therapy. Commonly used diagnostic techniques like endoscopy or medical imaging including ultrasound, barium swallow or computer-assisted tomography (CT) have shown limitations either in evaluating a dynamic process or assessing the entirety of cervical structures. This article presents a case report of a professional trumpet player with bilateral pharyngoceles, introducing real-time and three-dimensional (3D) MRI as a helpful tool in the diagnosis of pressure dependent pathologies in the upper airway. With the use of MRI the complete sub- and supraglottic airway can be viewed simultaneously, avoiding the distortion which can occur with endoscopy. Thus, it was possible to evaluate the pharyngoceles pressure-related pathophysiology, from which a successful therapy could be conceived which included modifying the musician's blowing technique.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Musicians' Medicine, University of Music and University Medical Center Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany; Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Freiburg University Medical Center, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Louisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Traser
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spahn
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baumann
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schumacher
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Echternach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003199:Computer Systems; D006547:Hernia / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010608:Pharyngeal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: lateral pharyngeal diverticula; pharyngocele; real-time MRI; three dimensional reconstruction; trumpet player