Morphological and functional diagnosis in the head and neck with multiplanar spiral CT

Multi-slice spiral CT permits very short scanning times, so that movement artefacts are reduced, and achieves high z-resolution due to narrow slice collimation, so that partial volumina effects do not interfere. These capabilities improve the imaging of small lesions and offer the possibility to calculate from a single dat set high-quality reconstructions, thus reducing the number of required scans and amounts of contrast agents, as well as the radiation dose. MPR yields clear information on tumor infiltration depths, which is of importance for the evaluation of dissemination pathways (paralaryngeal and pre-epiglottic areas), so that improved T-staging is possible, while accuracy of N-staging can be improved by simplified application of the L/Q quotient and clear topographic imaging of the lymph nodes. The short scanning times and high spatial resolution of MSCT not only improve functional studies of the larynx and hypopharynx in general, but also are of advantage with respect to cost effectiveness of the diagnostic examination of head and neck tumors, and the burdens involved for the patients. (orig./CB)