The Value of Computerized Tomography in Conservative Surgery of Glottic Cancer

The histological T-classification (pT) of laryngeal carcinomas correlates well with the prognosis (Norris et al. 1970; Meyer-Breiting 1981). But the clinical T-classification often fails because the examination was limited to superficial findings and indirect signs. 1977 Mancuso and coworkers produced a first report about the use of computerized tomography (CT) for the investigation of laryngeal cancer. Since 1980 we have tested the availability of the computerized tomography for the investigation of laryngeal cancer in cooperation with various radiological institutes of the Frankfurt region. The radiological findings have been compared with our histological observations in serial whole organ sections of the completely or partially resected larynx. During this procedure we were interested in clarifying the following points: 1. of what value is the CT scan deciding on conservative surgery? 2. Which anatomical structures can help to reveal the extent of the tumor? 3. Where are the limits of CT for laryngeal tumors, and what are its consequences for conservative surgery of the larynx.