The neck after vertical hemilaryngectomy: computed tomographic study.

Computed tomographic scans in 22 postoperative vertical hemilaryngectomy patients were analyzed retrospectively to determine the normal postoperative appearance and to evaluate the role of CT in assessing recurrent neoplasm. Twelve patients without clinical evidence of recurrence illustrated the normal postoperative changes: loss of the preepiglottic space fat and the aryepiglottic fold on the operated side, convexity of the residual true vocal cord, and regeneration of the resected thyroid cartilage ala. In the six patients with recurrent neoplasm, the CT manifestations included increased width of the remaining true vocal cord, convexity of the surgically formed pseudocord at glottic level, subglottic tumor, and extralaryngeal neck masses. Recurrence was mimicked in four patients by bulky soft tissue at the endolaryngeal operative site at both CT and laryngoscopy; this was due to hyperkeratosis or granulation tissue in three cases and an inclusion cyst in one case. CT supplemented the physical examination and indirect laryngoscopy, providing information regarding the presence and extent of tumor that was useful in planning the mode or scope of subsequent therapy.