IMPACT OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAGING AND COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY ON THE STAGING OF LARYNGEAL-CANCER

This retrospective study quantitatively assessed the effects of magnet ic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) on the staging of laryngeal cancer. A blind comparison between CT and MRI was made i n a group of previously untreated patients with squamous cell carcinom as of the larynx. From June 1992 to November 1993, 29 patients were el igible for study. Of these, 14 patients (48%) had supraglottic lesions , 11 patients (40%) had glottic lesions and 4 patients (14%) had both. No subglottic lesions were seen. The data suggest that clinical stagi ng of laryngeal tumors is inadequate. MRI proved superior to CT for st aging tumors, especially those confined to the supraglottis. Neverthel ess, clinically staged T1 or T2 lesions could be adequately assessed b y CT alone. Findings also indicate that MRI should be reserved for T3 or T4 clinically staged lesions. Furthermore, most nodal disease can b e staged by CT.