10.18\ Laryngeal Cartilage Remodeling

10.18.1  Discussion

Laryngeal cartilage remodeling surgery can be performed to treat deformities that result from trauma, laryngoplasty, or cancer and can be performed as part of sex change procedures. Miniplates are commonly used for reconstruction.

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CT is a suitable modality for evaluating the results of the surgery and suspected complications, such as submucosal hematomas. Panorex and 3D CT are particularly useful for depicting the positioning of the hardware and alignment of the laryngeal cartilages (Fig. 10.95). Postoperative hematomas are among the more common complications of laryngeal framework surgery and can be problematic if there is compromise of the airway (Fig. 10.96).

Fig. 10.96  Hematoma after cricoid cartilage repair. Axial CT shows miniplate and screw fixation of an anterior cricoid cartilage fracture. There is near-anatomic alignment, but there is underlying submucosal swelling that narrows the airway (arrow)