Search

Neoplastic disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx and the parapharyngeal space requires thorough assessment of location and extension in order to plan appropriate treatment. This study evaluates computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the workup of malignant and non-malignant tumors of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx and the parapharyngeal space in 76 patients. An attempt is made to characterize histopathology on magnetic resonance images by analyzing the signal intensities on T1- and T2-weighted images relative to muscle and brain tissue. The test performance of computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of tumor extension are compared with receiver operating characteristic methodology. Although no definitive conclusions can be made as to the histopathology on the basis of the signal intensities on magnetic resonance imaging, some tumors show characteristic images. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the performance of computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in the assessment of extension of neoplastic disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses, the nasopharynx and the parapharyngeal space, demonstrates no statistically significant difference in overall test performance. However, in evaluating regions involving predominantly soft tissue structures and comparatively large bony structures magnetic resonance imaging is superior to computer tomography, whereas in evaluating regions involving thin bony structures, computer tomography performs better than magnetic resonance imaging.

The heterogeneity of glottic carcinoma results in variable loco-regional control probabilities from 40 to 80%. These widely different results may be due to two prognostic parameters of the tumor: the mobility of the vocal cord and the volume of the tumor. On the other hand radiation dose and technique may influence the treatment results. Stringent work-up has been prospectively undertaken in 156 patients with Stage II glottic carcinoma since 1974 through 1983 in the Academic Hospital of the Free University in Amsterdam. Several subgroups were defined from the beginning to indicate one or both of these prognostic factors. All were treated with a high quality accurate radiation therapy program delivering high dose to all patients with worse prognostic factors and even higher dosages to voluminous tumors with impaired mobility of a cord or slowly regressing tumors. The latter was individually judged for each patient towards the end of the treatment period. The loco-regional control probability of around 80% for all the subgroups irrespective of the prognostic factors indicate that the heterogeneity of Stage II glottic cancer may be influenced by high dosages of quality controlled radiotherapy. Thus results hitherto reported in literature may be further improved by the dose-schedules outlined here.

Forty-two patients with laryngeal carcinomas were examined with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The accuracy of both CT and MR imaging in the depiction of cartilage invasion was evaluated in 16 patients by comparing findings at CT and MR with pathologic findings. Calcified cartilage that has been invaded by cancer is frequently seen on CT scans as having an intact contour. Tumor approaching nonossified cartilage may simulate cartilage invasion. On T1-weighted MR images, invaded marrow of ossified cartilage is of intermediate signal intensity, allowing it to be differentiated from normal bone marrow. On proton-density images, tumor is of increased signal intensity, which allows it to be differentiated from nonossified cartilage. In our experience, the specificities of CT and MR imaging were approximately equal (91% and 88%, respectively), but CT had a considerably lower sensitivity than MR (46% vs. 89%). Gross movement artifacts, which resulted in nondiagnostic images, occurred in 16% of the MR examinations. MR imaging is recommended as the modality of choice in the diagnosis of cartilage invasion.

MRI appearances of laryngeal cartilages, normal or invaded by cancer, are still relatively unfamiliar to most clinicians. Twelve primary laryngeal tumors out of a series of 65 patients which have been investigated by MRI were examined postoperatively by macroscopic and microscopic sectioning of the surgical specimens. Images were obtained with a 0.6 Tesla superconductive system using a solenoid surface coil. The authors emphasize the value of a combined use of T1-weighted and balanced (relatively T2-weighted images with still T1-characteristics) Spin Echo images. T1-weighted images permit differentiation between pathological and normal bone marrow. Balanced images allow separation between nonossified cartilage and tumor tissue. MRI is an additional tool in the diagnostic workup of cartilage invasion by tumor.

Forty-four consecutive patients with laryngeal carcinomas presenting at different stages of the disease were investigated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Twelve patients (six with primary lesions and six with recurrent tumors) underwent laryngectomy, and the macro- and microscopic appearance of the slice specimens were correlated with MR imaging. In the remaining patients surgery was not performed, and MR results are compared with the laryngoscopic findings. Cancerous tissue was seen on T1-weighted images as a homogeneous mass of intermediate signal intensity. slightly higher than infrahyoid muscles. The MR examinations failed mainly in patients with tumor recurrence who had undergone previous radiation treatment.

A retrospective study of a selected group of 58 patients with T3 and T4 squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx presenting between 1974 and 1984 was undertaken. These patients were treated primarily with radical radiotherapy and salvage surgery in reserve. The aim of this study was to examine survival, recurrence rate and the complications after salvage surgery. In 30 patients the tumor was classified as a T3 and in 28 as a T4. In 14 patients (24%) nodal disease in the neck was present prior to the radiotherapy. Follow-up in all patients continued for at least 3 years or until death. Nineteen patients (33%) developed locally recurrent tumor and five (9%) developed nodal metastases to the neck. The recurrence in almost every patient was detected within 2 years after completion of the irradiation. Thirty patients (52%) are alive of whom 29 have no evidence of disease. Of these 30 patients 22 (73%) have their larynx intact and functioning. The 5-year adjusted acturial survival for the whole group of patients is 73%, for the T3N0 group 87% and for the T4N0 group 75%. Patients with nodal disease responded poorly. After salvage surgery severe postoperative complications developed in 37% of the patients. There were no deaths following salvage surgery.

Eighteen patients underwent computed tomography (CT) prior to total laryngectomy. In order to assess the accuracy of CT scanning in the evaluation of carcinoma of the larynx, CT scans were prospectively interpreted and the extent of the tumour was recorded. The tumour extent was evaluated on whole-mount histologic sections of the laryngeal specimens, prepared in the horizontal plane, similar to the CT scan. The results were compared to assess the ability of CT to identify tumour infiltration in the horizontal plane accurately. Based on these findings it is clear that CT has its influence on the T-staging and on the choice of treatment of laryngeal cancer, i.e. radiotherapy versus surgery.

A brief review of the literature on cartilagenous tumours of the larynx is presented and their pathology, clinical features and treatment is discussed: Chondromas are rare; Chondrosarcomas can be potentially fatal. Conservative surgical therapy and close follow up is the essential line of treatment for tumours of the cricoid cartilage. Three new cases are presented.