CT diagnosis and differential diagnosis of hypopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract:

Objective：To explore the computed tomography（CT） feature of hypopharyngeal carcinoma and investigate its differentia－tion from other hypopharyngeal diseases. Methods：CT findings of 21 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma and other hypopharyngeal diseases which are necessary to differentiate from hypopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed，all of which were con－firmed by surgery or pathology. Results：Of 21 cases，there were 13 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma，5 cases of hypopharynx in－flammation，1 case of hypopharyngeal cyst，1 case of hypopharyngeal lymphoma and 1 case of hypopharyngeal polyp. Of the 13 cases of hypopharyngeal carcinoma，CT found location at pyriform sinus in 10 cases，at posterior wall of hypopharynx in 2 cases，at postcricoid in 1 case. The main manifestations of hypopharyngeal carcinoma were soft tissue density mass located at one side of pyri－form sinus or retropharynx or postcricoid，thickening of retropharyngeal soft tissue，inhomogeneous enhancement，usually widening of cricoid cartilage-vertebra or arytenoid cartilage-vertebra distance（≥1 cm），involving larynx and neighboring structures，parapharyngeal structures and adjacent cervical soft tissue，destructed laryngeal cartilage，invaded esophagus and metastasis of cervical lymph nodes. Conclusion：CT is useful for observing the site，shape，size and invasive extent of hypopharyngeal carcinoma as well as lymph node metastases.The widening of cricoid cartilage-vertebra or arytenoid cartilage-vertebra distance is the characteristic feature of hypopha－ryngeal carcinoma and necessary to differentiate from other hypopharyngeal diseases.