Markers of wound healing in vocal fold secretions from patients with laryngeal pathology

This study seeks to determine the ability of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays of vocal fold secretions to detect and describe the inflammatory response in the vocal folds. Vocal fold and palatal secretions were collected during operation from patients with a range of vocal fold disorders and from control patients. The secretions were subjected to assays for interleukin-1beta, prostaglandin E2, and transforming growth factor beta. The results indicate a differential expression of mediators associated with the wound healing cascade in the vocal folds. The prostaglandin E2 levels clearly differentiated vocal fold secretions associated with laryngeal disease versus control sites. Furthermore, the interleukin-1beta concentrations were significantly elevated in subjects with epithelial lesions of the vocal folds as opposed to lesions of the lamina propria. Although still in its infancy, such analysis may ultimately hold scientific and clinical utility in the study and management of patients with vocal fold disease.     

The cricothyroid muscle does not influence vocal fold position in laryngeal paralysis

The status of the cricothyroid muscle, which is innervated by the superior laryngeal nerve, is believed to influence the vocal fold position in laryngeal paralysis. It is believed that isolated lesions of the recurrent laryngeal nerve generally result in the paralyzed vocal fold assuming a paramedian position but that with lesions of both the superior and recurrent laryngeal nerves, a more lateral (intermediate or cadaveric) vocal fold position can be expected. Twenty-six consecutive patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis underwent transnasal fiberoptic laryngoscopy (TFL) and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). By TFL, the vocal fold positions were paramedian in 8 patients, intermediate in 7, and lateral in 11. By LEMG, 13 patients had isolated recurrent laryngeal nerve lesions and 13 patients had combined (superior and recurrent laryngeal nerve) lesions. There was no correlation between the vocal fold position and the status of the cricothyroid muscle, i.e., the status of the cricothyroid muscle by LEMG did not predict the vocal fold position nor did the vocal fold position by TFL predict the site of lesion. In addition, we investigated the possibility that the degree of thyroarytenoid muscle recruitment (tone) might correlate with vocal fold position, but no relation was found. We conclude that 1. the cricothyroid muscle does not predictably influence the position of the vocal fold in unilateral paralysis; 2. thyroarytenoid muscle recruitment (tone) does not appear to influence vocal fold position; and 3. still unidentified and unknown factors may be responsible for determining vocal fold position in laryngeal paralysis.     

Die Bedeutung der Stroboskopie in der laryngologischen Praxis

The assessment of laryngeal pathology and voice dysfunction requires knowledge of anatomy and physiology as well as thorough understanding of the biomechanical (non)linear behaviour of vocal fold vibration. Videostroboscopy adds useful information to voice assessment, which always includes perceptual voice assessment and endoscopy of the larynx. Videostroboscopy can help in differentiating between benign vocal fold lesions, invasive processes, vocal fold scarring and functional disorders. Videostroboscopic evaluation can be improved by using different endoscopes and specific evaluation manoeuvres.     

Non-invasive assessment of benign vocal folds lesions in children by means of ultrasonography

Objectives

Flexible fiberoptic endoscopes have made pediatric laryngeal examinations an everyday practice, even though fiberoptic-flexible laryngoscopy (FFL) is not always well tolerated in young children because of limited cooperation. Laryngeal ultrasonography (LUS) has been applied to normal and pathological findings in infants and children, allowing the assessment of subglottic hemangiomas, laryngeal stenosis and paralysis. No previous study assessed benign vocal folds lesions by LUS in children. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of LUS to detect benign vocal fold lesions in children by comparing the results of FFL in 16 children with those of LUS.

Methods

Sixteen children (9 males and 7 females) with a mean age of 7.5 ± 4.0 years were included in the study. Each child underwent FFL performed by a skilled phoniatrician and LUS performed blindly by an expert radiologist.

Results

On FFL bilateral vocal folds nodules were found in 9 patients, vocal fold cyst in 2 other patients, while in 2 children the vocal folds appeared normal. Laryngeal papyllomatosis, vocal fold polyp and vocal fold irregularity were found in only one patient. LUS enabled the diagnosis in all the 14 patients with vocal fold lesions. Bilateral hyperechoic lesions were visible in 10 patients, while hypoechoic lesions were found in three patients. No lesion were found in two children, while one patient presented with a monolateral hyperechoic lesion.

Conclusions

LUS was accurate, safe, well accepted and tolerated. LUS appears to be a useful diagnostic tool for supplementing FFL in the assessment of benign vocal fold lesions in children and may represent an interesting alternative in everyday clinical practice.     

支撑喉镜下喉硅胶膜置入及声带缝合手术治疗喉蹼

目的探讨喉硅胶膜置入及声带黏膜缝合术在治疗喉蹼中的价值及预后转归。方法21例喉蹼患者，4例儿童，17例成人；其中既往有双侧声带手术史（声带任克水肿、声带小结、声带息肉、声带角化）8例，喉乳头状瘤手术史6例，喉部外伤史6例，先天性喉蹼1例。患者在全麻支撑喉镜下行喉蹼瘢痕松解后，15例成人行声带黏膜缝合及喉硅胶膜置入术；4例儿童及2例成人行单纯声带黏膜缝合术。结果15例喉硅胶膜置入患者3—4周后取出支撑的硅胶膜，除1例既往曾有喉裂开史，治疗后前联合处仍残留2—3mm粘连带外，其余14例患者声带前联合均获得良好三角形形态，发音明显改善，无呼吸困难。6例行单纯声带黏膜缝合患者呼吸及发音得到明显改善，2例成年患者前联合处残存2～3mm正常黏膜，术后声带即获得很好成形效果；4例患儿术后前联合残留2—3mm粘连。全部患者随诊6个月-3年，无瘢痕再生。结论喉硅胶膜置入及声带缝合手术治疗喉蹼，利于患者呼吸及发音功能的改善，避免颈外入路手术或气管切开及长期声门支撑，创伤小，并发症少。而声带黏膜单纯缝合手术还可以单独应用于粘连带相对较薄（小于5mm）、黏膜相对丰富的儿童及前联合残存正常黏膜的喉蹼患者。     

Possibility for endolaryngeal morphometric measurements with a new laser light method

Morphometric measurement of horizontal laryngeal structures is difficult and poses many problems in laryngology. It is difficult to determine the size of vocal fold tissue lesions as well as the range of amplitudes during vocal fold vibration in rigid endoscopy. We present a new method by using two parallel light beams which are projected onto the surface of the vocal folds during examination of the larynx with a rigid 90 degrees-endoscope. Because of the fixed distance of the light points, measurement of the laryngeal structures can be accomplished, e.g., using a video print after the examination. With this new technique morphometric measurement of horizontal laryngeal structures during routine endoscopic examination becomes feasible.     

成人声带良性病变发病危险因素的病例对照调查

目的 探讨与成人声带良性病变发病相关的危险因素.方法 采用病例对照研究设计,对168例声带良性病变(包括声带小结、声带息肉、Reinke水肿、慢性喉炎)患者及153例喉部正常者进行问卷调查.Logistic回归分析方法 进行统计学分析.结果 多因素分析显示职业、工作或居住环境噪声、饮酒、每日用声时间和嗓音滥用5个因素是声带良性病变的危险因素.用声强度大的职业发病的危险性大,以用声强度小的Ⅰ类职业为参照,用声强度中等的Ⅱ类职业的发病危险为其1.934倍(OR=1.934),教师等用声强度大的Ⅲ类职业的发病危险为其2.633倍(OR=2.633).每日用声时间每增加1 h,发病的危险增加1.302倍(OR=1.302).习惯喊叫等有嗓音滥用行为的OR值为4.744,工作或生活在噪声环境中OR值为2.115,饮酒的OR值为2.177,均会大大增加发病的危险.结论 为预防功能不良性声带病变,应戒酒,降低环境噪声,养成良好的用声习惯,避免嗓音滥用,减少用声时间等.在用声强度大的高危人群应加强防护.     

Laryngeal electromyography: diagnostic and prognostic applications

Laryngeal electromyography is a crucial diagnostic test in laryngology. Laryngeal electromyography is important for the diagnosis of vocal fold paresis and cricoarytenoid joint pathology (e.g., arytenoid dislocation). In addition, laryngeal electromyography offers prognostic information regarding potential vocal fold paralysis recovery, which can improve the management strategies for vocal fold paralysis.     

支撑喉镜下CO2激光分离联合硅胶膜置入治疗继发性声带粘连

目的 探讨支撑喉镜下应用CO2激光分离切除声带蹼样粘连后置入硅胶膜治疗继发性声带粘连的临床疗效.方法 以21例继发性声带粘连的成年患者为研究对象,其中,发生于双侧声带任克水肿、声带小结、声带息肉、声带白斑手术后16例,喉乳头状瘤手术后4例,喉部外伤导致声带粘连1例,粘连范围均为声带前1/3～1/2;均在支撑喉镜下应用CO2激光分离并切除声带前部正中粘连带后,置入的硅胶膜使其隔离声门前端分离的创面并经喉内、外联合进路缝合固定于颈前皮肤;术后3周取出硅胶膜,随访半年,观察疗效.结果 20例患者术后3周顺利取出硅胶膜,1例患者术后2周因颈部软组织感染取出硅胶膜后痊愈;术后随访6个月,除1例患者再次发生声带前联合粘连外,其余20例患者声带前联合均获得良好三角形形态,无瘢痕及肉芽形成,声嘶均明显改善.结论 支撑喉镜下CO2激光分离联合硅胶膜置人隔离创面3周治疗声带粘连,创伤小,效果好,并发症少.     

Is voice therapy effective for the treatment of dysphonic patients with benign vocal fold lesions?

Objective

To update our knowledge regarding the effectiveness of voice therapy for the treatment of vocal disturbance associated with benign vocal fold lesions, including vocal polyps, nodules and cysts, and for determining the utility of voice therapy in treating organic voice disorders, while highlighting problems for the future development of this clinical field.

Quality-of-life outcomes following laryngeal endoscopic surgery for non-neoplastic vocal fold lesions

Preservation of the vocal fold cover during laryngeal surgery should optimize vocal outcomes for patients with benign glottal lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the quality of life, perceptual voice evaluation, and acoustic and aerodynamic measures of patients before and after endoscopic laryngeal microsurgery for true vocal fold cysts, polyps, and scarring. Preoperative and postoperative Voice Handicap Index (VHI) scores, Short Form 36 scores, and perceptual, acoustic, and aerodynamic voice measures were obtained prospectively from 42 patients who underwent phonomicrosurgery from February 2000 through May 2003. The mean (+/-SD) preoperative VHI was 49.6 +/- 21. The mean postoperative VHI score at a minimum of 3 months after surgery decreased to 26.8 +/- 21 (p < .001). When divided by lesion type, VHI scores improved significantly after surgery for vocal fold polyps and cysts. Although patients with vocal fold scarring demonstrated improvement in VHI scores after surgery, statistical significance was not achieved. For the entire group, the Short Form 36 scores were not significantly different from US norms either before or after operation. The acoustic data showed statistically significant decreases in jitter (2.05% to 1.26%), shimmer (7.06% to 4.03%), and noise-to-harmonics ratio (0.18 to 0.13) after surgery (p < .05) in female patients. The upper pitch limit increased after surgery in women (495.3 Hz to 654.9 Hz, p < .001). These results indicate that the voice-related quality of life and some acoustic parameters improve significantly for patients who have undergone laryngeal microsurgery for vocal fold cysts and polyps. Vocal fold scarring remains a difficult clinical problem with less favorable outcomes following surgical treatment in this patient set.     

Configuration of the glottis in laryngeal paralysis. I: Clinical study

It is widely accepted in the American literature that the cricothyroid muscle is responsible for the paramedian position of the vocal fold in recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. However, support in the literature for this theory is not conclusive, and the cadaveric vocal fold position expected after lesions of the vagus nerve has also been reported in patients with an intact superior laryngeal nerve. This study compares the configuration of the glottis in patients with unilateral paralysis due to known lesions of either the recurrent laryngeal or vagus nerve. Normal subjects were studied as controls. Results indicate that the alteration of glottic configuration in laryngeal paralysis cannot be adequately characterized by standard terms of vocal fold position. The paralyzed vocal fold is shortened, with anterior rotation of the arytenoid. Patients with vagus nerve lesions had a statistically insignificant tendency for a more lateral vocal fold position, but a discrete difference in position between the two groups was not identified. This study also confirms prior observations that paralyzed vocal folds are frequently not denervated. These findings have significant implications for management of laryngeal paralysis.     

Videoendoscopic laryngeal surgery

This paper introduces videoendoscope-assisted laryngeal surgery with office-based equipment. With this technique, a patient is seated and the nose, pharynx, and larynx are topically anesthetized. A flexible videoendoscope with a light-sensitive charge-coupled device chip built into the tip is transnasally inserted by an assistant. Specially designed fine-tipped forceps and scalpels were developed for removal of laryngeal lesions. Videoendoscopic laryngeal surgery was undertaken in 114 cases of laryngeal lesions such as polyps, granuloma, and cancer. For benign vocal fold lesions, postoperative vocal function was shown to be improved on aerodynamic and perceptual analyses. For laryngeal tumors, biopsy of the lesion was easily undertaken. Videoendoscopic laryngeal surgery presents the following advantages. It is applicable to outpatients not requiring general anesthesia, it enables functional monitoring of the patient's voice and vocal fold during phonation, it allows for delicate manipulations with both hands, and it gives high-resolution images in comparison to conventional fiberscopy.     

Results of videostroboscopic examinations of vocally healthy candidates for voice intensive professions

BACKGROUND: Questions regarding the vocal aptitude for voice professions are common in the daily phoniatrical and otorhinolaryngological practice. According to the classification by Koufman, Isaccson and Stemple professions can be classified into four groups. While it is common to perform laryngeal investigations and analyses of the vocal efficacy for candidates of elite vocal performers (level 1), i. e. singers and actors, those examinations are usually not executed for voice and speaking intensive professions (level 2) like teachers, as there is no legal base. This group is, however, predisposed with regard to professional voice disorders. METHODS: Aim of the study was therefore to determine the frequency of laryngeal findings in a group of previously asymptomatic subjects using videostroboscopic examinations and to assess the risk concerning the emergence of professional voice disorders. 545 candidates for voice intensive professions have been examined with regard to the existence of any organic or secondary organic alterations on the vocal folds. RESULTS: One third of the subjects showed benign laryngeal alterations, which were not consequentially associated with auditive alterations of the voice sound and/or a consciousness of a voice disorder. Apart from 33 organic laryngeal alterations 129 phonation associated alterations of the vocal fold were determined. CONCLUSIONS: These subjects should especially in cases of excessive vocal demand and additional the efficacy reducing factors be regarded as a high risk group with regard to the emergence of professional voice disorders. The results underline the necessity to require vocal examinations and vocal assessment analyses for candidates of voice intensive professions in order to avoid professional voice disorders.     

Laryngeal synkinesis revisited

First described in 1982, laryngeal synkinesis continues to play an important diagnostic and therapeutic role following recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury. Vocal fold motion impairment (formerly called "vocal cord paralysis"), hyperadducted and hyperabducted vocal folds, and certain laryngeal spasmodic and tremor disorders are often best explained by synkinesis. A closer look at these mechanisms confirms that following RLN injury, immobile vocal folds may be nearly normally functional (favorable), or spastic, hyperadducted, or hyperabducted (unfavorable). This has resulted in a functional classification of laryngeal synkinesis as follows: type I laryngeal synkinesis, with satisfactory voice and airway (vocal fold poorly mobile, or immobile); type II synkinesis, with spasmodic vocal folds and an unsatisfactory voice and/or airway; type III synkinesis, with hyperadducted vocal folds and airway compromise; and type IV synkinesis, with hyperabducted vocal folds, poor voice, and possible aspiration. This classification facilitates the understanding of laryngeal pathophysiology following RLN injuries and promotes a more scientific basis for management.     

Evaluation of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux, chronic otitis media and laryngeal disorders

We investigated the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with signs and symptoms of reflux, chronic otitis media and benign and malignant vocal cord lesions. Three groups of patients in Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital ENT–Head and Neck Surgery Clinics were compared between 2005 and 2006. The first group had patients with signs and symptoms of reflux, the second group consisted of patients with chronic otitis media, and in the third group had patients with laryngeal pathology, i.e. vocal cord lesions. The results of pH monitoring of all the three groups of patients were analyzed for laryngopharyngeal reflux. In the evaluation, two different criteria, based on reflux number and time spent in reflux, were used. It was investigated whether there was a difference in terms of reflux among these three groups. Also, the effects of reflux in etiopathogenesis of chronic otitis media and vocal cord lesions are discussed. A total of 84 patients were studied, with 22 patients with signs and symptoms of reflux in Group 1, 42 patients with chronic otitis media in Group 2, and 20 patients with vocal cord lesions in Group 3. No statistical difference could be detected among the groups in terms of the two criteria mentioned above. The frequency of laryngopharyngeal reflux in patients with chronic otitis media and vocal cord lesions was found to be as high as than in the patients with signs and symptoms of reflux. During the treatment of chronic otitis media and laryngeal disorders, we advise reflux work-up, and in case if there is reflux, we recommend reflux treatment in addition to treatment of primary disease.     

Regression of laryngeal dysplasia after serial microflap excision

There is no consensus on the ideal management of premalignant lesions of the larynx. Published reports describe the use of mucosal stripping, microsurgical techniques, CO2 laser excision and ablation, and even conservation laryngeal surgery and radiotherapy. We performed a retrospective evaluation of 43 men and 11 women who underwent serial excision of dysplastic lesions with the microflap technique between 1990 and 2001. The average age of the patients was 57.2 years; 64% had a history of cigarette smoking, and 46% a history of alcohol consumption. The lesions were located on the middle part of the left vocal fold in 65% and on the mid-portion of the right vocal fold in 66%. The patients were followed for an average of 4.4 years. Of the 20 patients with severe dysplasia or carcinoma in situ treated with the microflap technique, only 1 progressed to invasive disease. Overall, there was a reduction in the severity of dysplasia after each procedure (p = .0008). The microflap technique reliably reduced the severity of dysplastic lesions of the vocal fold and was effective in local disease control.     

Benign disease of the thyroid gland and vocal fold paralysis.

Development of vocal fold paralysis in the presence of thyroid disease is strongly indicative of thyroid cancer, and requires surgical exploration. At the same time, vocal fold paralysis does not relieve the surgeon of his obligation to identify and preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerves, since the cause of the paralysis may be a benign disease, with a fair chance of functional recovery after surgery. We hereby report a case of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy secondary to a multinodular goitre.     

间接显微喉动态镜手术

目的　介绍间接显微喉动态镜手术治疗声带良性病变的方法并总结临床经验。方法　在表面麻醉间接喉镜下，通过与喉动态镜频闪光源连接的手术显微镜切除声带良性病变５０ 例。结果　效果满意，治愈率９２ ％ ，未发生并发症。结论　间接显微喉动态镜手术具有安全、声带功能恢复良好等优点，是治疗声带良性病变的较好的手术方法之一