Application of CT virtual endoscopy to laryngeal tumor

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of CT virtual endoscopy to laryngeal tumor.Methods 33 patients were scanned by helical CT.The virtual endoscopy images of all patients were compared with that of actual laryngoscopy and the surgical results (5 normal larynx,19 laryngeal carcinomas,5 glottic and arytenoid polyps,4 papillary adenoma).All the lesions were pathologically proved.Results The visualization of normal anatomical structure in larynx on CTVL was the same as that of actual laryngoscopy;The sensitivity of CT virtual endoscopy for laryngeal tumor was 72.7%;The extension of the laryngeal tumor showed in CT virtual endoscopy was prior to that of actual laryngoscopy;The shape of small lesions showed in CT virtual endoscopy was not better than actual laryngoscopy.Conclusions CT virtual laryngoscopy is a good complemental method of fiber optic laryngoscopy.