Steroid Injection for Reinke's Edema Using Fiberoptic Laryngeal Surgery

Objective Since 1990, we have performed steroid injections into the vocal fold under topical anesthesia using fiberoptic laryngeal surgery (FLS) in an outpatient clinic. The aim of this study was to retrospectively assess the usefulness of this treatment method in 44 patients with mild Reinke's edema.

Material and Methods Using fiberoptic monitoring of the larynx, a curved injection needle was inserted via the oral cavity and triamcinolone acetonide was injected into Reinke's space of the bilateral vocal fold.

Results Remission or improvement was observed in almost all patients in terms of both patients' self-rating of hoarseness and endoscopic vocal fold findings The maximum phonation time was a mean of 9.0 s before operation and 11.4 safter operation, and this increase was significant (p < 0.01). Voice pitch also improved, from 168 to 181 Hz, in female patients, and this increase was also significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Steroid injection is considered to be useful for treating mild Reinke's edema.     

喉良性增生性病变的嗓音学特点及治疗转归

目的 :探讨喉良性增生性病变对发声功能的影响及CO2 激光显微外科术后的转归特点。方法 :对2 92例喉良性增生性病变患者 (声带息肉、任克水肿、声带小结、囊肿、慢性肥厚性喉炎 )的流行病学、嗓音声学、形态及CO2 激光显微外科术后转归进行分析。结果 :声带小结患者均为青年女性 ,2 3.0 8%与职业有关 ;任克水肿为中老年患者。声带息肉及小结病变局限 ,手术仅涉及声带局部 ,术后改善明显 ,术后 1个月达正常状态 ;任克水肿患者术后 1个月改善明显 ,术后 3个月恢复最佳稳定 ;声带囊肿患者术后 1个月声音达最佳状态 ,但由于病变切除术后局部存在缺损 ,一定程度上影响预后 ;慢性肥厚性喉炎患者术后改善不满意。术后声门上代偿纠正均不明显。结论 :喉良性增生性病变主要累及声带被覆层 ,嗓音声障碍的程度及疗效与受累范围有关 ,激光显微外科手术可以保留良好结构及功能。除外科治疗外 ,还应及时矫正不良发声习惯等因素 ,以期获得最佳疗效。     

声带息肉和Reinke水肿细胞外基质蛋白mRNA表达

目的探讨声带息肉和Reinke水肿中，声带固有层细胞外基质主要成分mRNA表达的变化，为阐明疾病发病机制提供依据。方法应用逆转录-聚合酶链反应检测手术切除标本（声带息肉12例，Reinke水肿2例，5例行全喉切除而声带未受肿瘤侵犯的声带作为正常对照），细胞外基质中与胶原纤维、弹性纤维和透明质酸有关的9种蛋白的mRNA表达。结果声带息肉与对照声带比较，胶原酶mRNA表达下降，纤连蛋白mRNA表达升高，而纤调蛋白mRNA表达下降，差异均有统计学意义（P值均〈0．05）；赖氨酰氧化酶、透明质酸合成酶在病变和对照组织mRNA表达量差异无统计学意义（P值均〉0．05）；前弹性蛋白原、透明质酸酶、弹性蛋白酶在病变组织mRNA阳性表达率低于对照组织；前胶原Ⅰ在所有组织中均无表达。声带Reinke水肿组纤连蛋白表达量接近息肉组，纤调蛋白表达量接近对照组，因样本量小未做统计学分析。结论纤连蛋白和纤调蛋白是参与声带息肉病理过程的两种细胞外基质成分。反复用声造成损伤以及声带对损伤的修复过程可能在声带息肉发病机制起重要作用。     

Steroid injection to vocal nodules using fiberoptic laryngeal surgery under topical anesthesia

Since 1990, we have performed steroid injection into the vocal fold by fiberoptic laryngeal surgery (FLS) under local anesthesia. In this study, the usefulness of this method was evaluated in 28 patients with vocal nodules. Under monitoring using a fiberoptic laryngoscope, a curved injection needle was inserted via the oral cavity and steroid was injected. Endoscopic findings showed that the vocal nodule had disappeared in 17 patients of the 27 patients and decreased in 10 after injection. The maximum phonation time was 10.9 s before operation and 13.9 s after operation, showing a significant increase (P<0.05), and the mean flow rate also showed a significant improvement (P<0.05). The patients self-rating concerning hoarseness demonstrated great improvement after injection. This technique can be performed under local anesthesia in combination with voice therapy on an outpatient basis, and it is considered to be useful for treating vocal nodules.     

Microendoscopy of Reinke's space

OBJECTIVES: Contemporary surgical treatment of the superficial layer of the lamina propria or Reinke's space is most commonly performed through an incision in the overlying vocal fold epithelium. This approach may disrupt normal tissue, induce scarring, and allow extrusion of implanted materials. Previously reported external approaches to Reinke's space required either a laryngofissure or a "minithyrotomy" for access. These surgical approaches were performed without direct imaging of Reinke's space. Instruments placed below the vocal fold epithelium via this external approach were visualized through the translucent vocal fold epithelium. We designed this study to identify the feasibility of limited-access surgery of the lamina propria using microendoscopes placed into Reinke's space through an external approach. METHODS: A cadaveric human larynx was dissected, and microendoscopes were directly advanced into Reinke's space through a subepithelial puncture of the cricothyroid membrane, as well as lateral fenestration through the thyroid cartilage. RESULTS: Photodocumentation of the undersurface of vocal fold epithelium, the opposing surface of the vocal ligament, and the intervening Reinke's space was successfully accomplished. CONCLUSIONS: Advances in both microendoscopes and accompanying instrumentation permit access to the superficial layer of the lamina propria without disrupting the overlying epithelium. This approach to microendoscopy of Reinke's space may allow for more effective surgical treatment of cysts, chronic edema, vascular abnormalities, atrophy, scarring, and sulcus vocalis.     

Fiberscopic estimation of vocal fold stiffness in vivo using the sucking method

We developed a fiberscopic device for estimating vocal fold stiffness in vivo. A small plastic tube with a hole in the side was connected to the forceps channel of the fiberscope and used as an aspiration tube under constant negative pressure. A basic experiment revealed that the maximum distance at which the vocal fold was sucked to the hole depended on the stiffness of the tissue. A preliminary study was conducted with a normal subject and four patients: one with sulcus vocalis, one with Reinke's edema, and two with carcinoma. The stiffness estimated using this method was 3 to 4 g/cm for the normal vocal fold. The stiffness for carcinoma and sulcus vocalis was significantly greater than that of normal vocal fold tissue. The stiffness of Reinke's edema did not differ markedly from that of normal tissue.     

Videostrobokymographic analysis of benign vocal fold lesions

OBJECTIVES: Videostrobokymography (VSK) has recently been introduced. The aim of this study was to analyze vibratory patterns and objective parameters in various benign vocal fold lesions using VSK and to examine the efficacy of VSK in clinical applications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using VSK, we analyzed the vibration patterns of normal vocal folds, various benign lesions such as nodules, polyps, cysts and Reinke's edema and cases of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. We also calculated the objective parameters open quotient and asymmetric index and compared them with their mean values in normal controls. RESULTS: In nodules, polyps and cysts, the open quotient at the site of the lesion was similar to the mean value in the normal controls; however, on the other parts of the vocal folds, it was much larger than the normal mean value. In Reinke's edema, irregular and asymmetric vibrations were observed. The posterior area of the vocal folds showed larger open quotients than the anterior area. In unilateral vocal fold paralysis, irregular vocal fold vibration and incomplete closure of the vocal folds were documented. Much larger asymmetric indices were calculated for unilateral vocal fold paralysis than in normal controls or for other lesions. The asymmetric index may be a good quantitative parameter of vibration in patients with vocal fold paralysis. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that VSK could generate clear quantitative documentation of fine vibrations of vocal folds in many different types of benign lesion. VSK has the potential to be an effective tool for the quantitative analysis of vibratory patterns of vocal folds in clinical settings.     

Exudative laryngeal diseases of Reinke's space: a clinicohistopathological framing

OBJECTIVE: To establish the relationship between the macroscopic and histologic diagnosis of nodules, polyps, and Reinke's edema of the true vocal folds and to propose a clearer clinical definition of them in the hope of settling the difference of opinion between otolaryngologists and pathologists. DESIGN: Retrospective study SETTING: Otolaryngology Department of "La Sapienza" University of Rome. METHODS: The pathologic reports of 203 patients subjected to direct laryngoscopy were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Examination of the histologic specimen of the epithelium and the chorion. RESULTS: Microscopic examination revealed a high percentage of normal epithelium both for nodules (33.79%) and polyps (40.65%). No dysplasia was observed, whereas dysplasia was present in 10 cases of Reinke's edema (7 laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia 1 and 3 laryngeal intraepithelial neoplasia II). Five different stages of histologic progression resulted from the examination of the chorion in both nodules and polyps. CONCLUSIONS: Our suggestion is to consider polyps as "older" lesions and nodules as "younger" lesions. A polyp may be defined as an abnormal unilateral growth of vocal folds, a nodule as a bilateral growth situated between the anterior and medium third of the vocal fold, and Reinke's edema as a bilateral wound that extends to the whole of the true vocal fold.     

Phonomicrosurgical management of the disease of vocal fold]

OBJECTIVE: To find a way of reserving normal high quality phonatory function after vocal cord surgery. METHODS: Various benign lesions (vocal nodules, polyp of vocal cord, cyst of vocal cord, etc) as well as premalignant lesion and early glottic cancer were treated with minimally excision, lateral microflap, medial microflap, submucosal infusion, mucosal stripping or epithelium stripping of phonomicrosurgical techniques to achieve minimally invasion. RESULTS: The 1,044 (99.8%) patients suffering from vocal nodules, polyp or cyst and 12 Reinke's edema achieved a normal phonation within a week. The recovery of normal phonation in 20 Reinke's edema, 31 vocal cases needed 1-3 months, by mucosal stripping. The restoration of phonation on 5 papilloma, 36 early malignancy were better than trans-cervical operation. After 5 year follow-up, 3 cases of vocal cord premalignant lesions received the re-stripping operation. 32 cases of early glottic cancer remained tumor free, 5 cases relapsed and 2 cases received the re-stripping operation, and 2 cases received laryngectomy operation. CONCLUSION: The phonomicrosurgery may cure vocal disease and reserves good voice function.     

Quantitative measures of laryngeal function following teflon® injection or thyroplasty type I

Laryngeal/voice function was evaluated in six patients with unilateral true vocal fold paralysis following treatment with Teflon® injection (TEF) compared to six patients treated with thyroplasty type I (THY). Auditory perceptual, aerodynamic, and endoscopic assessments were conducted. Three judges rated nine voice characteristics. Aerodynamic measures included estimated subglottal pressure, airflow, and laryngeal resistance. Two judges rated laryngeal characteristics from flexible fiberoptic assessment. The THY group had significantly better voice quality and better quantitative aerodynamic findings compared to the TEF group. The TEF group also was more likely to have an irregular vocal fold edge, an irregular glottal closure pattern, a higher occurrence of hyperfunction and hypertrophy of the false vocal folds, edema, and erythema of the paralyzed folds. Results suggest that THY was associated with more favorable measures of laryngeal/voice function than TEF. It is likely that the poorer perceptual, aerodynamic, and endoscopic findings associated with TEF injection may be due to violation of the true vocal fold cover, particularly increased true vocal fold mass and stiffness.     

Glottal area waveform analysis of benign vocal fold lesions before and after surgery

Glottal area waveform (GAW) is the plot of relative glottal area versus time through 1 representative glottal cycle. It is derived from the quantitative analysis of the videostroboscopic image. A GAW analysis was performed on 24 patients before and after microlaryngeal phonosurgery. Patients with vocal fold polyps, polypoid degeneration, cysts, sulcus vocalis, and Reinke's edema were included. From each GAW, 5 parameters were determined and compared: maximum normalized glottal area, maximum opening rate, maximum closing rate, percent open time at 50% glottal opening, and glottal gap size. Statistically significant differences in postoperative states included an increased maximum glottal area, an increased maximum opening rate, and an increased maximum closing rate. Glottal opening and closing rate are objective measures of vocal fold pliability that have clinical relevance. The GAW may be used to quantitate vocal fold vibratory capability.     

Reinke's edema and risk factors: clinical and histopathologic aspects

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate retrospectively the distribution of histologic damage and its correlation with various risk factors in a group of patients affected by Reinke's edema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study subjects comprised 125 patients with bilateral Reinke's edema consecutively presenting at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, "La Sapienza" University, Rome. The patients were divided into 4 groups according to Hellquist, Lundgren, and Olofsson's histologic classification and were then further categorized according to the number of cigarettes they smoked daily. Average exposure to cigarette smoke, occupation, habitual voice use, and gastroesophageal reflux were also considered. RESULTS: Fifty-two patients did not exhibit histologic lesions, 64 patients were histologically classified as Group 1 (epithelial hyperplasia and/or keratosis with or without mild dysplasia), and 6 patients exhibited moderate dysplasia (Group 2). In 3 patients, histologic examination showed evidence of unilateral carcinoma in situ (Group 3). Forty-four patients suffered recurrences within the first 2.5 years. Both daily cigarette consumption and duration of exposure to cigarette smoke were found to influence the severity of the histologic lesion. An association with gastroesophageal reflux was observed in 4 patients (3.2%). Prolonged vocal abuse did not prove to be a noteworthy factor in our study. CONCLUSIONS: The main risk factor for Reinke's edema and for its recurrence is tobacco use. Our study results showed that the clinical manifestation of this disease is related to the number of cigarettes smoked daily and the duration of exposure to smoke. Longer durations of exposure to cigarette smoke result in higher degrees of histologic damage.     

Factors that predict the need for intubation in patients with smoke inhalation injury

Early identification of smoke inhalation patients who will require intubation is crucial. We conducted a retrospective chart review to identify predictors of respiratory distress in patients who present with smoke inhalation injury. Our study involved 41 patients who had been treated in the emergency room at a regional burn center. Eight of these patients required intubation. Intubation was positively correlated with physical examination findings of soot in the oral cavity (p < 0.001), facial burns (p = 0.025), and body burns (p = 0.025). The need for intubation was also predicted by fiberoptic laryngoscopic findings of edema of either the true vocal folds (p < 0.001) or the false vocal folds (p < 0.01). No statistically significant correlation was found between intubation and any of the classic symptoms of smoke inhalation: stridor, hoarseness, drooling, and dysphagia (all p = 1.0). Also, multivariate analysis revealed that facial burns correlated significantly with edema of the true vocal folds (p = 0.01) and body burns correlated significantly with edema of both the true (p = 0.047) and false (p = 0.003) vocal folds. We conclude that patients with soot in the oral cavity, facial burns, and/or body burns should be monitored closely because these findings indicate a higher likelihood of laryngeal edema and the need for intubation.     

Laser-assisted voice adjustment (LAVA) in transsexuals

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate results of laser-assisted voice adjustment (LAVA) surgery in male-to-female (MTF) transsexual patients with androphonia. METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective case-control study of MTFs who underwent CO2 laser vocal fold vaporization between 1997 and 2003. Thirty-one patients were self-referred for voice feminization. Pre- and postoperative evaluations were completed. Patients' voices were recorded to obtain Fo before and after surgery. Voice Handicap Index (VHI) questionnaires were completed by post-LAVA patients. A panel of blinded listeners identified patients as male or female based on samples of connected speech recorded over the telephone. RESULTS: Mean follow-up (23 weeks) revealed pitch increases averaging 26 Hz. Self-evaluations revealed increases in voice femininity, congruity with self-image, and satisfaction. However, the evaluations also showed decreased vocal quality, loudness, and vocal range. Mean VHI was consistent with VHI scores associated with Reinke's edema. Six of 10 patients were consistently perceived as female. CONCLUSION: LAVA provides a conservative treatment for androphonia. Postoperative voice therapy may optimize outcomes.     

声带外侧自体脂肪注射填充术治疗声门闭合不良

目的对声带外侧自体脂肪注射填充术方法选择、预后及其影响因素进行研究,探讨声带外侧自体脂肪注射在声门闭合不良性发声障碍治疗中的价值。方法病例选择:29例声门闭合不良、发声障碍患者,27例为单侧声带麻痹(麻痹时间均超过半年),2例为声带萎缩。手术选择:全麻支撑喉镜下,应用特制Brunning高压脂肪注射器进行自体脂肪声带外侧注射。患者手术前后均行嗓音声学、气流动力学及频闪喉镜检查,确定患者发音质量及疗效。结果术后随诊10～18个月,24例患者发声明显改善,2例发声好转,3例无效。注射1个月后脂肪部分吸收,声门闭合程度及发音逐渐改善。3～6个月声带振动、声门闭合正常,发声明显改善,音质稳定,主、客观声学评价及气流动力学参数改善明显(P<0.01)。结论单侧声带麻痹或声带萎缩引起的声门闭合不良,选择声带外侧声门旁间隙脂肪注射手术,使声带膜部内移,改善声门闭合,并保留声带振动特性,患者可获得良好的发音效果。     

Indirect microlaryngostroboscopic surgery.

Detailed preoperative laryngostroboscopic examination is a prerequisite for phonosurgical correction of organic dysphonia. Although suspension microlaryngoscopic surgery has proved its value in the past, it excludes functional control during the removal of vocal fold swellings. Using an indirect microlaryngostroboscopic surgical technique with topical anesthesia, functional control can be achieved during surgery. This enables the removal of vocal fold swellings with a high degree of precision. Postoperative voice evaluation was performed in 31 patients after suspension microlaryngoscopic or indirect microlaryngostroboscopic surgery. The results showed that indirect microlaryngostroboscopic surgery is at least as good as, and in some respects even better than, suspension microlaryngostroboscopic surgery. Large vocal fold swellings, extensive Reinke's edema, and submucosal swellings are considered less suitable for indirect microlaryngostroboscopic surgery, because such lesions require bimanual instrumentation.     

Implantation of esterified hyaluronic acid in microdissected Reinke's space after vocal fold microsurgery: first clinical experiences

OBJECTIVE: In this pilot study are presented the first clinical experiences of the use of a resorbable bioimplant made of esterified hyaluronic acid inserted in the microdissected superficial layer of the lamina propria (SLLP), also called Reinke's space, after a flap excision procedure for a benign vocal fold lesion. Laryngeal and vocal evolution of implanted patients are depicted and discussed. STUDY DESIGN: Eleven bio-implants have been inserted in microdissected SLLP of 11 cases presenting with benign vocal fold lesions. The surgical procedure consisted of the excision of primary lesion by a microflap technique immediately followed by implantation of esterified hyaluronic acid in Reinke's space. METHODS: All patients underwent rigid laryngoscopy and a microsurgical procedure under general anesthesia. The cordal lesion was treated with cold instrumentation of Bouchayer (7 cases) or with a mixed technique using CO(2) laser (4 cases). After the classical freeing-up of Reinke's space and the creation of a mucosal flap, a few fibers of esterified hyaluronic bioimplant are gently arranged in Reinke's space before redraping the ligament and closing the cordal incision with a few drops of fibrin glue. Laryngeal and vocal assessments were performed pre- and postoperatively in all patients using videostroboscopy as well as perceptual and objective voice evaluation. All patients were followed in a longitudinal manner: between two and five postoperative evaluations were performed. The longest follow-up was 19 months and the shortest 2 months. RESULTS: All cases exhibited postsurgical improvement of the pliability of the SLLP. None of them developed an adverse scarring process. Improvement of SLLP's pliability was maintained in time in all cases. Vocal improvement was observed in all. Temporary inflammation was noted in one case. There were no serious adverse effects apparent during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: Bio-implantation of esterified hyaluronic acid in Reinke's space is technically easy and well tolerated. All treated cases exhibited postoperative good pliability of the SLLP compared with their preoperative evaluation.     

Granuloma of the membranous vocal fold: an unusual complication of microlaryngoscopic surgery

OBJECTIVES: We describe the clinical features of granuloma of the membranous vocal fold (as opposed to granuloma of the vocal process, or "contact granuloma"), a poorly recognized sequela of microlaryngoscopic surgery. Membranous vocal fold granuloma may mimic the initial lesion in appearance, and thus be mistaken for recurrence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of cases from 2 institutions. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of membranous vocal fold granuloma from 2 institutions were identified. In all but 1 case, granuloma developed in the early postoperative period, within 8 weeks. Of the 15 cases, 10 followed laser resection of carcinoma. Five were noted following cold steel resection of benign lesions (2 papillomas, 2 cysts, 1 Reinke's edema). Technical aspects of these cases suggest that membranous vocal fold granulomas result from surgical violation of deep tissue planes and/or epithelial defects. All patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors. In 12 cases, the granulomas proved self-limited, resolving over weeks to months following surgery. Three patients underwent surgical removal of the lesion, which confirmed the diagnosis. One of these cases recurred and was treated nonsurgically. CONCLUSIONS: Granuloma should be suspected when a mass lesion appears at the surgical site early in the postoperative course. Surgical excision is generally not necessary and may provoke further growth of granulation tissue.     

Dysphonia in the aging: physiology versus disease.

A chart review from 151 dysphonic patients over the age of 60 was done to define aging related voice disorders. Overwhelmingly, patients suffered from dysphonia due to disease processes associated with aging rather than to physiologic aging alone. These include: 1. central neurological disorders affecting laryngeal function (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, essential tremor, Alzheimer's disease); 2. benign vocal fold lesions (e.g., Reinke's edema, benign and dysplastic epithelial lesions); 3. inflammatory disorders (e.g., laryngitis sicca, medication effect); 4. laryngeal neoplasia; and 5. laryngeal paralysis. Typical laryngeal findings of vocal fold bowing and breathiness consistent with presbylarynges were present in only six patients. Presbylarynges is not a common disorder and should be a diagnosis of exclusion made only after careful medical and speech evaluation.