[Computerized tomography imaging of laryngocele. Its importance in the differential diagnosis of tumors of the larynx and pharynx].

The laryngocele is a dilatation of the laryngeal ventricle and represents a rare condition. In most cases there is a typical history. Patients with an internal laryngocele usually complain of hoarseness, dyspnea and cough. Laryngoscopy shows a swelling of the false cord on one side. The external laryngocele presents as a swelling in the neck. In some cases the clinical presentation is not that typical, so that computed tomography (CT) can be a helpful, additional investigation. CT scans show either an air- or mucus-containing tumor at the level of the false cord. This internal laryngocele may proceed into an external one, which presents as a swelling at the level of the hyoid bone. We now present 13 cases of laryngoceles with special regard to the CT and intraoperative findings. In the differential diagnosis other tumors of the larynx are considered, since the mucus-filled laryngocele is difficult to distinguish.