Use of tomodensitometry in the evaluation of the extension of certain laryngeal cancers

: Radiopathological examinations were conducted on a frozen laryngeal specimen to determine its characteristics as seen on the CT scan image. Results of CT scan imaging of 37 patients with laryngeal cancer were then compared with results of clinicopathological examination in 20 cases (after fixation and decalcification, the 20 samples were sectioned in axial planes reproducing those of the CT scan as for as possible). The results of computed tomography are conclusive for investigation of tumoral extension to the hyothyo-epiglottic space, and may lead to modification of therapy; they are of marked value for assessment of tumoral extension to the laryngeal cartilages, with the reservation that ossification of these cartilages must be taken into account. Furthermore, they enable assessment of subglottal extension when the respiratory state of the patient or the size of tumor makes it impossible to perform direct laryngoscopy.