3-DIMENSIONAL ENDOSCOPIC MODE FOR OBSERVATION OF LARYNGEAL STRUCTURESBY HELICAL COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY

We produced high-quality three-dimensional (3D) endoscopic images of t he larynx using helical scanning computed tomography. Subjects include d two normal volunteers and 10 patients: five with laryngeal cancer, f our with unilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, and one wit h atrophied vocal folds. Two vertically split hemilaryngeal images wer e displayed together with the oral and tracheal views. Although motion artifacts were seen in four patients, laryngeal structures including the vocal fold, ventricular fold, and ventricle were clearly identifie d in all subjects. In the patients with cancer, axial images showing t he extent of the tumor in each patient provided more information than 3D endoscopic images. In the patients with RLN palsy and atrophied voc al fold, combination of 3D endoscopic and cross-sectional images offer ed more diagnostic information than axial images alone.