Topographic evaluation of lateral hypopharyngeal pouches using electron beam tomography.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the exact topography of lateral hypopharyngeal pouches using electron beam tomography.

METHODS

Seventeen patients, nine female, eight male, aged 28-72 years, who showed lateral hypopharyngeal pouches in the videofluorographic swallowing examination were studied using electron beam tomography. Upon swallowing a 20-ml bolus of water, the region of the thyrohyoid membrane was scanned 20 times per level. Scan parameters: single slice cine mode (exposure time 100 ms, slice thickness 3 mm, 620 mA, 130 KV).

RESULTS

The lateral hypopharyngeal pouches appeared air-filled in the posterior aspect of the thyrohyoid membrane closely attached to the upper horn of the thyroid cartilage, just below the hyoid bone.

CONCLUSIONS

With electron beam tomography it was possible to define the topographic location of the pouches more accurately, compared with the prior assumption of position.