Ultraschallmikroskopie im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt

Purpose

Initial clinical experiences with ultrasound microscopy in the upper aerodigestive tract are described.

Materials and Methods

In the present pilot study, 20 healthy probands and 10 patients with lesions of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx undergoing surgery were examined using a new prototype of an ultrasound microscope.

Results

A total of 24 normal and six pathological findings of the upper aerodigestive tract were assessed. These included normal mucosa of the floor of the mouth, the inner cheek, the palate and the vocal fold. In addition, invasive carcinoma of the floor of the mouth, the aryepiglottic fold and the vocal fold was found. Furthermore, a papilloma of the palatal arch and two epiglottic cysts were examined.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that ultrasound microscopy is also viable in hollow organs. Pathological lesions differed clearly from normal mucosa. However, to recognize the regular pattern of different lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract, further investigations need to be carried out with a larger number of patients.