We evaluated the clinical and radiological findings in 35 patients wit
h submucosal laryngeal masses. The presenting symptoms were hoarseness
, stridor, dysphagia and external neck mass. In 20 cases an important
delay between the onset of symptoms and direct laryngoscopy was found.
There was a considerable delay between laryngoscopy and definitive di
agnosis in 13 cases due to repeated negative biopsies. Computed tomogr
aphy pointed out the location and extension of the masses in all cases
. In 27 mass lesions CT allowed correct prediction of the malignant or
benign character of the lesion. In 6 cases no reliable differentiatio
n could be made. The lesion was mischaracterised in 2 cases. Magnetic
resonance imaging was also performed in 4 patients, and showed the ext
ent of the lesion better; in 1 case MRI narrowed the differential diag
nosis. In the case of a negative biopsy result, radiological findings
should incite further investigation, reducing the possible delay betwe
en the onset of symptoms and definitive diagnosis.