Purpose: Assessment of the diagnostic value of multiplanar reformations (MPR) in multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) by comparing relevant anatomic structures of the larynx and hypopharynx.
Materials and methods: MSCT of the neck was performed in 69 consecutive patients (including 30 laryngeal and 12 hypopharyngeal carcinomas). From a 4 x 1.0 mm collimation data set, 3.0-mm and 1.25-mm axial slices as well as 3-mm coronal and sagittal slices were reconstructed. Using the histological examination as gold standard, sensitivity and specificity regarding tumor infiltration for all relevant anatomical structures of the larynx and the hypopharynx were determined for each reconstruction and compared with the McNemar test. Moreover, 42 patients with laryngeal and/or hypopharyngeal carcinoma were subjectively evaluated to determine whether the respective reconstructions enables a better topographical visualization of the tumor in relation to surrounding structures and, furthermore, whether this has an influence on the therapeutical strategy (operation versus radiation therapy, type of operation, surgical approach).
Results: Sensitivities and specificities were not significantly different between the reconstructions. However, coronal and sagittal MPR provided a better topographical visualization of the tumor in 14 of 42 (33 %) of the patients, and influenced the therapeutical strategy in 8 of 42 (19 %) of the patients. A lowered signal-to-noise ratio impeded the evaluation of the relatively thin 1.25-mm axial slices in more than 23 % of the cases.
Conclusion: Besides the 3-mm axial slices, coronal and sagittal MPR can improve the topographical visualization of laryngopharyngeal tumors and are recommended for preoperative MSCT of laryngeal and/or hypopharyngeal carcinomas. Additionally reconstructed 1.25-mm axial slices can be discarded since they do not hold a higher value compared to 3-mm axial reconstructions.