MR Imaging of Laryngeal Cancer

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-xvii

   PDF

2. General aspects of laryngeal cancer

   • J. A. Castelijns, G. B. Snow

   Pages 1-10

3. The patterns of growth and spread of laryngeal cancer

   • G. J. Gerritsen, G. B. Snow

   Pages 11-22

4. The radiological examination of the larynx

   • J. A. Castelijns

   Pages 23-27

5. General aspects of MR imaging

   • J. A. Castelijns

   Pages 29-37

6. MR imaging techniques of the larynx

   • J. A. Castelijns

   Pages 39-53

7. MR imaging of the normal larynx

   • J. A. Castelijns

   Pages 55-63

8. MR imaging of laryngeal cancer

   • J. A. Castelijns, M. C. Kaiser, J. Valk, G. J. Gerritsen, A. H. van Hattum, G. B. Snow

   Pages 65-79

9. MR imaging of normal and cancerous laryngeal cartilages. Histopathological correlation

   • J. A. Castelijns, G. J. Gerritsen, M. C. Kaiser, J. Valk, W. Jansen, C. J. L. M. Meyer et al.

   Pages 81-100

10. Diagnosis of laryngeal cartilage invasion by cancer. Comparison of CT and MR imaging

    • J. A. Castelijns, G. J. Gerritsen, M. C. Kaiser, J. Valk, T. E. G. van Zanten, R. G. Golding et al.

    Pages 101-122

11. MR findings of cartilage invasion by laryngeal cancer. Value in predicting outcome of radiation therapy

    • J. A. Castelijns, R. P. Golding, C. van Schaik, J. Valk, G. B. Snow

    Pages 123-134

12. General discussion

    • J. A. Castelijns, G. B. Snow, J. Valk

    Pages 135-139

13. Back Matter

    Pages 141-147

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MRI is assuming a dominant role in imaging of the larynx. Its superior soft tissue contrast resolution makes it ideal for differentiating invasion of tumors of the larynx from normal or more sharply circumscribed configuration of most of the benign lesions. Over ten years ago CT made a major impact on laryngeal examination because it was the first time that Radiologists were beginning to look at submucosal disease. All of the previous examinations duplicated the infor­ mation that was available to the clinician via direct and in-direct laryngo­ scopy. With the advent of rigid and flexible endoscopes, clinical examination became sufficiently precise that there was little need to perform studies such as laryngography which merely showed surface anatomy. The status of deep structures by these techniques was implied based on function. Fortunately laryngography is now behind us together with all of the gagging and contrast reactions which we would all like to forget. CT is still an excellent method of examining the larynx but it is unfortunately limited to the axial plane. With presently available CT techniques motion deteriorates any reformatting in sagittal or coronal projections. The latter two planes are extremely helpful in delineating the vertical extent of submucosal spreads. MRI has proven extremely valuable by producing all three basic projections, plus superior soft tissue contrast. Although motion artifacts still degrade the images in some patients, newer pulsing sequences that permit faster scanning are elimi­ nating most of these problems.

• cancer
• imaging
• Diagnostic Radiology
• surgical oncology

• Department of Radiology, The Netherlands

  J. A. Castelijns

• Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, The Netherlands

  G. B. Snow

• Department of Radiology, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  J. Valk

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