Page 13 - Head and neck surgery

INVESTIGATIONS

Endoscopic examination aims to assess the following:

• Location and extent of tumour involvement

– Relation and distance from cricopharyngeus

– Superior extension into the oropharynx

– Anterior extension through the posterior tracheal wall invasion

• Laryngeal function including vocal cord mobility and supraglottic sensation

• Presence and location of synchronous lesions along the upper aerodigestive tract

• Biopsy of tumour and any suspicious lesions for histological diagnosis