Abstract

Introduction: Endoscopic imaging can be used in the assessment of cancer and precancerous lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract. The objective of this presentation is to describe vertical imaging methods.

Methods: The working principle and technique of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as well as en-dosonography (EUS) are briefly illustrated.

Results: The main indications, normal and pathologic findings of each method, frequent pitfalls, and clinical results up to now are presented in detail.

Conclusions: Endosonography helps in determining the exact extension of advanced carcinomas be-yond 3 mm, while OCT, due to its better resolution, is superior in the assessment of precancerous and early cancerous lesions up to 2 mm thickness.

© 2013 SPIE