Head and Neck Imaging

Laryngocele

dilated air- or fluid-filled laryngeal ventricle, the most common submucosal laryngeal mass lesion. A laryngocele occurs when the laryngeal ventricle is functionally obstructed (e.g. in players of a wind-instrument), or through obstruction at the opening of the ventricle; a tumoral lesion causing such obstruction should be excluded. When limited to the laryngeal paraglottic space, it is called an internal laryngocele (Fig.1); when extending through the thyrohyoid membrane, it is called a mixed laryngocele (consisting of a part internal and a part external to the larynx) (Fig.2). An internal laryngocele causes hoarseness or stridor, an external laryngocele may present as a mass lesion in the submandibular region. An infected laryngocele, filled with pus, is called a pyolaryngocele; it shows a thickened wall on cross-sectional imaging.

RH

To view high resolution images,
please register first.

Click  here to register.

Already registered? Enter your e-mail in the window below.
Re-register

Fig.1

Axial contrast-enhanced CT image through supraglottic larynx. Bilateral fluid-filled internal laryngocele (arrows).
Laryngocele, Fig.1
Laryngocele, Fig.2 (a)
Laryngocele, Fig.2 (b)