The authors evaluate the results of CT examinations in 13 patients with carcinoma of the larynx and in 8 patients with carcinoma of the hypopharynx. X-ray findings of different structures of the larynx and hypopharynx are compared with the endoscopic and peroperative finding, moreover in 9 patients after total laryngectomy it was possible to examine the preparation of the larynx in collaboration with a pathologist. In patients with carcinoma of the larynx disagreement was recorded in 10% of the findings. CT examination was twice falsely negative (tumourous affection of the vestibular fold and lymph node), once falsely positive (infiltration of the wall of the piriform sinus). In patients with carcinoma of the hypopharynx disagreement was more frequent (26%) than in patients with carcinoma of the larynx. False negativity of the CT was found in affections of the paralaryngeal space and lymph node, while false positivity of CT was recorded in the area of the paralaryngeal space, piriform recess and lymph node. For evaluation of CT findings it is important to pay special attention to the paralaryngeal space and the mucosa of the piriform sinus. For imaging of metastatic affections of the lymph nodes it is better to use sonographic examination.

        Key words: carcinoma - larynx - hypopharynx - computed tomography