[The role of X-ray computed tomography in the detection of metastatic lesions in the regional lymphatic nodes in patients presenting with primary diagnosis of laryngeal and laryngo-pharyngeal cancer].

The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of X-ray multispiral computed tomography with the use of internal contrast for the clinical diagnostics of metastatic lesions in the regional lymphatic nodes of patients presenting with primary diagnosis of squamous cell cancer of the larynx and laryngopharynx. A total of 78 patients with laryngeal cancer and 22 with the primary diagnosis of laryngo-pharyngeal cancer were examined by X-ray computed tomography that revealed metastatic lesions in the regional lymphatic nodes. A detailed description of the most characteristic metastatic lesions is presented, viz. (1) active accumulation of the contrast agent in the peripheral parts of the lymph nodes, (2) the presence of a central necrotic zone, (3) the indistinct outer contour of the affected lymphatic nodes, and (4) compaction of the fatty tissue surrounding them. The use of computed tomography allowed localization of the affected nodes to be correctly determine in all the examined cases. Moreover, the method made it possible to evaluate the extent of the carcinogenic process and its clinical stage.