Magnetic resonance imaging of the larynx

Abstract

Rarely does any radiologic imaging modality play a significant role in reaching a diagnosis of malignancy in the larynx and hypopharynx. These regions are so readily accessible to clinical examination that the combination of cytology and visual inspection usually strongly indicates the diagnosis of cancer. Therefore, the primary role of MR is the same as that of CT in imaging the larynx and hypopharynx: to define the extent of the disease. Compared to CT, MR consistently shows superior soft tissue definition. The use of direct coronal and sagittal scan planes allows the visualization of intrinsic laryngeal musculature in addition to better defining cranial caudal tumor extension. Thus, MR is now the imaging study of choice for the evaluation of cancer of the larynx. The role of MR can also be extended to replace CT scanning in the evaluation of the laryngeal airway and benign lesions of the larynx.