Videolaringoscopy utility in histological diagnosis of laryngeal cáncer

Abstract

Introduction: Direct laryngoscopy (DL) is considered essential in the study of the larynx cancer, both to specify local extension and in order to perform a biopsy. Aim: Show that the result of biopsies taken by videolaringoscopy (VL) in larynx cancer is equivalent to the definitive biopsy. Material and methods: Review of 53 patients charts of HBLT Otorhinolaryngology Service with suspected larynx cancer where the biopsy is performed by VL, during July 2007 to December 2011. Results: The patients included, are characterized by being mostly men with an average age of 66 years, with tobacco consumption by 63% and alcohol by 55.3%. There was a congrunence between positive biopsies for cancer in 32 patients, 8 false negatives and 2 false positives. All samples which tested positive for cancer were squamous cell carcinoma, 55% moderately differentiated. The patients that had false-negative results were not in a particular stage. The sensitivity was 0.8 and the specificity 0.85. The LR was 5.2. Conclusion: VL must be included as part of the ambulatory studies orienting the initial treatment when larynx cancer is suspected. VL allows to perform the DL in the act of surgical treatment, and avoid it in patients without surgical curative option, difficult airway or high anesthetic risk.