[The value of nuclear magnetic resonance tomography in tumor staging of laryngeal-/hypopharyngeal cancer].

Twenty-four patients with tumors of the larynx and hypopharynx were examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and laryngoscopy. The results of MRI and laryngoscopy were then correlated with the pathology reports. Diagnostic findings of 84% of the MRI studies correlated with the pathology report, while laryngoscopy provided exact classification in 79%. MRI tended to overestimate tumor size because edema or inflammatory reactions of surrounding tissues simulated tumors. However, normal mucosa also enhanced contrast medium, restricting the value of this technique. Laryngoscopy tended to underestimate tumor size, because deep extensions of tumor and cartilage involvement were difficult to detect. Nonetheless, the utility of MRI in obtaining axial, coronal and sagittal slices was found to facilitate the preoperative staging of tumor extensions.