[Morphologic classification of Reinke's edema through optical coherence tomography]. / Morphologische Klassifikation des Reinke-Odems mittels optischer Kohärenztomografie.

OBJECTIVE: Several classification systems for Reinke's edema have been proposed in the past, which are somewhat less than morphologically ideal. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the ability of optical coherence tomography (OCT) to attain a reproducible graduation of Reinke's edema. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a prospective study, 30 consecutive patients underwent endolaryngeal, microsurgical resection of their Reinke's edema. Graduation was performed through OCT based on morphologic criteria, where each result was compared with that of other classification systems. RESULTS: In Reinke's edema grade I according to Glanz, a feathered pattern is found, while Reinke's edema grade II demonstrates a lacunar and Reinke's edema grade III a confluent pattern. Correlation between the different classification systems was uniformly weak and not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the three different recognizable patterns, OCT qualifies as an objective and reproducible aid for the graduation of Reinke's edema and gives certain insights in its pathogenesis.

[Optical coherence tomography : significance of a new method for assessing unclear laryngeal pathologies]. / Optische Kohärenztomographie : Stellenwert einer neuen Methode bei der Abklärung unklarer Kehlkopfveränderungen.

BACKGROUND: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a new imaging technology of as yet unknown significance in laryngology. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of this noninvasive method to reliably predict diagnosis and possible malignancy in laryngeal disease. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a prospective study, a total of 225 laryngeal lesions in 201 consecutive patients were examined during elective microlaryngoscopy. Clinical assessment under the operating microscope with and without OCT was compared with conventional histopathology. RESULTS: For all cases, diagnosis gained by OCT was significantly superior to microlaryngoscopy alone. In particular, the exact grade of dysplasia could be better determined with the help of OCT, whereas statistical significance was just barely missed for the prediction of benign lesions. Additionally, OCT proved to be a very helpful method for identifying malignant tumors of the larynx. CONCLUSIONS: OCT is a simple, rapid, and reliable aid in the diagnostic investigation of unclear laryngeal pathologies, especially of laryngeal cancer and its precursor lesions.