MR evaluation of laryngohypopharyngeal cancer: value of gadopentetate dimeglumine enhancement.

PURPOSE To investigate the value of gadopentetate dimeglumine-enhanced MR imaging in determining the extent of laryngohypopharyngeal cancer. METHODS Unenhanced and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted, proton-density-weighted, and T2-weighted images from 24 patients with laryngohypopharyngeal cancer were reviewed and compared with the pathologic findings of resected specimens. In 18 patients, ex vivo MR images of the resected specimens were also compared with pathologic findings. RESULTS Laryngohypopharyngeal cancer showed intermediate intensity on T1-weighted and proton-density-weighted images, high intensity on T2-weighted images, and moderate enhancement on T1-weighted enhanced images. Cartilage-invaded tumor enhanced moderately, whereas unossified cartilage in contact with tumors but without tumor invasion showed no enhancement. Laryngohypopharyngeal mucosa enhanced intensely; endolaryngeal muscles enhanced less. CONCLUSIONS Enhanced MR images were more useful in assessing the extent of tumors and the presence of laryngeal cartilage invasion than were proton-density-weighted and T2-weighted images.