The Role of CT and MRI in Diagnosis and Characterization of causes of Dysphonia Compared to indirect Laryngoscope

Background: Hoarse voice is often used interchangeably with dysphonia; however, the former is a symptom while the latter is a clinical diagnosis. Dysphonia is a broad term for impaired vocal production, including altered quality, pitch, loudness, or effort. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic efficacy of imaging techniques including the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in comparison to the indirect laryngoscope in the detection and tissue characterization of etiological pathologies of dysphonia. Methods: This retrospective diagnostic accuracy study included 100 patients complaining of dysphonia referred from the speech and language clinic of the ENT department to the radiology departments at Benha University Hospital and Kobri El-Kobba Military Medical Complex. All studied cases were subjected to indirect laryngoscopy, CT, and MR studies. Results: There was a good agreement between CT and MRI assessments in VCP detection (kappa =0.85). A comparative study between CT and MRI assessments revealed; a significant increase in accuracy (30% add value), in MRI modality in detecting Nodule lesions (p 0.05). Conclusion: Both CT and MRI are valuable imaging modalities in the diagnosis of the etiology of dysphonia, with mild, statistically insignificant, superior diagnostic accuracy of MRI over CT.