[Assessment of laryngeal carcinoma before therapy: value of computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography].

The findings and the diagnostic value of modern imaging techniques (CT and MRI) to evaluate laryngeal carcinoma are reviewed. At all three anatomic levels of the larynx, CT is able to assess additional findings compared to endoscopy which allow superior staging of the neoplasms. Concerning all T-stages (1-4) a correct classification is possible in 70-80% of the cases with CT. The N-stages are classified correctly in around 85%. The limitations of CT include the subtle evaluation of tumor-induced cartilage and bone defects and the detection of superficial tumors. The experience with MRI of laryngeal cancer is still limited. The advantage of MRI, compared to CT, are an improved contrast between tumor and muscle using Gd-DTPA as a contrast agent and the ability of multiplanar imaging. However, MRI in the laryngeal region is still associated with a low spatial resolution, long examination time and moving artifacts. In the next future CT will remain the imaging procedure of first choice to evaluate laryngeal cancer.