Preoperative Ultrasonography Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement During Thyroid and Parathyroid Surgery

Background

Preoperative detection of vocal cord palsy is important in thyroid and parathyroid surgery. However, routine fiberoptic laryngoscopy may bring patients unnecessary discomfort. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using surgeon-performed ultrasonography (US) as a screening tool for preoperative assessment of vocal cord movement.

Methods

In the first phase, patients had both laryngoscopic and US examination before surgery. In the second phase, patients had US evaluation first. Those with abnormal vocal cord movement on US, with invisible cord movement, or presenting with significant vocal symptoms underwent laryngeal examination.

Results

In all, 93 (82?%) of 114 patients had successful US evaluation of vocal cord movement during the first phase. Two of them had vocal cord paralysis. In the second phase, vocal cord movement could be evaluated by US in 349 (84?%) of 415 patients. Four patients with abnormal movement were confirmed to have vocal cord palsy by laryngoscopy. None of 46 symptomatic patients with normal movement on US had vocal cord palsy. One other patient whose cord movement could not be seen by US had vocal cord palsy on laryngoscopic examination.

Conclusions

Surgeon-performed US appears to be a relatively accurate method for assessing vocal cord movement in the preoperative setting. It can be used to select patients to undergo laryngoscopic examination before thyroidectomy and parathyroidectomy.     

Improvement of vocal cord paresis after thyroidectomy

Iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis is a well-publicized complication of thyroid and parathyroid operations. Less appreciated is the improvement of vocal cord function after resection of a thyroid or parathyroid tumor. Over the last 22 years, 14 patients presented with vocal cord paresis in the presence of thyroid or parathyroid tumors. Of these 14 patients, nine had complete resolution of paresis following resection of the thyroid or parathyroid tumors: three had a thyroid carcinoma impinging upon the nerve, three had large colloid goiters, two had a follicular adenoma and one had a parathyroid adenoma displacing the nerve. In five of the 14 patients the vocal cord paralysis persisted after operation. In three, the pathology accounted for the vocal cord paralysis and was not amenable to operative improvement: one patient had an unresectable anaplastic thyroid carcinoma, one patient had long-standing idiopathic unilateral vocal cord paralysis, and one patient had laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma with thyroid invasion. The fourth patient had an extensive thyroid hemangioma. The paralysis persisted after resection. The fifth patient had long-standing idiopathic vocal cord palsy. A preoperative vocal cord paresis in a patient with thyroid or parathyroid disease does not indicate permanent loss of recurrent nerve function, even in the presence of carcinoma. In this series, vocal cord function was restored in 9 of 10 patients with resectable thyroid or parathyroid tumors.     

Vocal cord paralysis after surgery to the descending thoracic aorta via left posterolateral thoracotomy

Vocal cord paralysis is one of the frequently encountered complications after aortic surgery. However, reports of vocal cord paralysis after aortic surgery have been limited. In a retrospective cohort study of vocal cord paralysis after aortic surgery at a general hospital, we sought factors related to its development after aortic surgery to the descending thoracic aorta via left posterolateral thoracotomy. We reviewed data for a total of 69 patients who, between 1989 and 1995, underwent aortic surgery to the descending thoracic aorta. We assessed factors associated with the development of vocal cord paralysis and postoperative complications. Postoperative vocal cord paralysis appeared in 19 patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed two risk factors for vocal cord paralysis: chronic dilatation of the aorta at the left subclavian artery (odds ratio = 8.67) and anastomosis proximal to the left subclavian artery (odds ratio = 17.7). The duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly prolonged for patients with vocal cord paralysis. Certain surgical factors associated with left subclavian artery increase the risk of vocal cord paralysis after surgery on the descending thoracic aorta. Vocal cord paralysis after aortic surgery did not increase aspiration pneumonia but was associated with pulmonary complications.     

A Novel Lateral Approach to the Assessment of Vocal Cord Movement by Ultrasonography

Background

Ultrasonography is a non-invasive technique that is commonly used by endocrinologists and endocrine surgeons to examine the thyroid region and could be useful for the assessment of vocal cord movement by these specialists. However, previous studies reported a low rate of successful visualization of vocal cord movement by ultrasonography. To address this issue, we devised a novel ultrasonographic procedure for assessing vocal cord movement indirectly by observing the arytenoid movement from a lateral view.

Methods

Subjects were 188 individuals, including 23 patients with vocal cord paralysis and 13 with vocal cord paresis. We performed ultrasonographic assessment of vocal cord movement using two different procedures: the conventional middle transverse procedure and the novel lateral vertical procedure.

Results

The rate of visualization of vocal cords with the middle transverse procedure was 70.2% and that of the arytenoid cartilage with the lateral vertical procedure was 98.4%. The lateral vertical procedure enabled visualization of all patients with vocal cord paresis/paralysis and detected all 23 patients with vocal paralysis; only one of 13 patients with vocal cord paresis was positively identified. The conventional procedure enabled visualization of 21 of 36 patients with vocal cord paresis/paralysis with high accuracy. There was no false-positive case in either procedure.

Conclusion

The proposed lateral vertical procedure improved the rate of visualization of vocal cord movement by ultrasonography, suggesting that it is a useful technique to screen for vocal cord paralysis by ultrasonography.

     

内镜下微创外科技术在声带疾病的临床应用

目的探讨经内镜支撑喉镜下微创外科技术在声带疾病的临床应用效果。方法 2005年1月～2008年1月,对小声带息肉及声带小结58例,广基底息肉30例,任克层水肿25例,声带囊肿36例,声带白斑11例共160例声带疾病患者采用内镜下微创外科治疗,采用显微切除技术58例、外侧微瓣技术67例、内侧微瓣技术24例、黏膜下注射技术及黏膜表皮剥脱技术11例。结果声带小结26例及声带息肉62例均一次切除病变。声带囊肿病变有2例(2/36,5.6%)术后发生黏膜瓣下端断裂漂移,后在电子喉镜下切除断裂黏膜瓣;另34例一次切除病变。任克层水肿25例全部消除声带浅固有层下水肿。150例(94%)术后1周经嗓音分析检查恢复正常嗓音,另10例在术后2周～3个月恢复正常嗓音。声带白斑11例全部随访1～3年,平均1.6年,术后2个月经电子喉镜检查均未见病变复发,病理报告为不典型增生的7例中有2例术后1年复发。结论内镜引导支撑喉镜下微创外科技术治疗声带疾病符合微创原则,近期疗效良好。     

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion in a case of whiplash cervical spine injury: a case report

BACKGROUND

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a risk of anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion. We discuss the mechanism of vocal cord paralysis and the precautions necessary to avoid this catastrophic complication. A rare case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis after anterior cervical discoidectomy and fusion (ACD/F) is reported.

CASE DESCRIPTION

The patient, a 37-year-old male, was paraplegic, had bilateral intrinsic hand muscle weakness and sphincter involvement following a whiplash cervical spinal injury. A C5-C6 ACD/F for traumatic C5-C6 disc prolapse was performed. On the third postoperative day, he developed difficulty in coughing and a husky voice. Otolaryngological evaluation revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. He later required a tracheostomy that partially alleviated his major symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In patients undergoing ACD/F, a mandatory preoperative evaluation of the vocal cords should be performed. An appropriate modification in surgical planning should be made if vocal cord palsy is diagnosed preoperatively to prevent bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Proper and judicious use of Cloward retractors is advocated.     

Laryngeal chondrosarcoma as a late-appearing cause of "idiopathic" vocal cord paralysis

A case of laryngeal chondrosarcoma is presented as a late-appearing cause of idiopathic vocal cord paralysis. Twelve cases are cited from the literature in which the cause of so-called idiopathic vocal cord paralysis was discovered with long-term followup. The natural history of idiopathic vocal cord paralysis is addressed, and recommendations for patient management are discussed.     

Vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery: predictors and clinical outcome

OBJECTIVE: This study is retrospective cohort study of data on vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery collected during 14 years at a general hospital. We investigated factors in the development of vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery and the effect of vocal cord paralysis on clinical course and outcome. METHODS: We reviewed data for 182 patients who underwent aortic arch surgery for aortic arch aneurysm and aortic dissection between 1989 and 2003, of whom 58 patients had proximal aortic repair, 62 had distal arch repair, and 62 had total arch repair. We assessed factors associated with the development of vocal cord paralysis and examined in detail the clinical outcome of patients with vocal cord paralysis. RESULTS: Postoperative vocal cord paralysis occurred in 40 patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed the following risk factors with odds ratios (OR) for vocal cord paralysis: extension of procedures into distal arch (OR, 17.0), chronic dilatation of the aorta at the left subclavian artery (OR, 9.14), and total arch repair (OR, 4.24). Adoption of open-style stent-grafts reduced the incidence of vocal cord paralysis (OR, 0.031). The postoperative occurrence of vocal cord paralysis itself emerges as an independent predictor of pulmonary complications (OR, 4.12) and leads to a longer duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery depends on surgical factors, such as aneurysmal involvement of the distal arch, or the application of newer, less invasive surgical procedures. Vocal cord paralysis after aortic arch surgery itself, under aggressive postoperative respiratory management, did not increase aspiration pneumonia but was associated with postoperative complications leading to higher hospital mortality and prolonged hospitalization.     

Airway difficulty after a brachial plexus subclavian perivascular block

IMPLICATIONS: We report a case of upper airway obstruction after subclavian perivascular block in a patient with a preexisting unrecognized paralyzed vocal cord on the opposite side. We discuss the incidence of vocal cord paralysis after subclavian perivascular block and the risk of airway compromise if contralateral vocal cord paralysis is known or suspected.     

Bilateral vocal cord palsy during carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block

We describe a case of vocal cord palsy leading to respiratory obstruction during carotid endarterectomy under cervical plexus block in a patient who had preexisting contralateral vocal cord paralysis subsequent to a previous thyroidectomy. The patient required immediate tracheal intubation and subsequent tracheostomy to maintain the airway postoperatively. Care must be given to avoid contralateral vocal cord paralysis in the presence of a preexisting vocal cord palsy.     

Immobilités laryngées unilatérales après chirurgie de la glande thyroïde

Background

The authors studied a cohort of 154 patients with unilateral vocal cord paresis following thyroidectomy, analyzing the pathogenesis, symptomatology, spontaneous evolution, and management of this complication.

Objective

This retrospective study distinguished between vocal cord paresis due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or due to injury of the cricoarytenoid articulation. We assessed the influence multiple variables on therapeutic management. The results and complications of currently-employed surgical techniques to remedy unilateral vocal cord paresis were defined.

Patients and methods

Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve was the cause of vocal cord paresis in 98% of cases; injury to the cricoarytenoid articulation accounted for only 2% of cases. When the recurrent laryngeal nerve had not been actually transected, spontaneous recovery of vocal cord function occurred in 36% of cases. No spontaneous recovery was noted when the nerve had been divided. The interval to recovery of cord function ranged from 2 to 15 months (median: 4 months). Spontaneous recovery of vocal cord function had occurred in 90% of these patients by the 9th postoperative month. Three factors significantly influenced the decision to perform a median transposition of the injured vocal cord: known transection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the interval to consultation with an ENT specialist, and the severity of dysphonia. Medial transposition of the injured vocal cord resulted in an immediate improvement in the quality of voice and speech with no major complications.

Conclusion

Unilateral vocal cord paresis occurring after thyroidectomy is not always symptomatic and is not uniformly due to injury of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Management does not always require surgical reintervention. The practical and medico-legal consequences of these injuries are discussed.     

Initial experience of vocal cord evaluation using grey-scale, real-time, B-mode ultrasound

Background: To evaluate whether grey‐scale, real‐time, B‐mode ultrasound (US) is a reliable alternative to nasopharyngoscopy for assessing vocal cord function post‐thyroid and post‐parathyroid surgery. Methods: A prospective validation study was undertaken comparing grey‐scale, real‐time, B‐mode vocal cord US with the standard of nasopharyngoscopy in 100 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery between 1 February 1999 and 31 August 1999, with seven patients with known cord palsy. The sensitivity and specificity of grey‐scale, real‐time vocal cord US for the detection of vocal cord palsy when compared to the standard of nasopharyngoscopy was analysed. Results: In the postsurgical group, there were six nerves (3.2% of the nerves at risk) transient and no permanent vocal cord palsies. US identified four of six transient palsies and reported two false negatives and three false positives. US identified four of seven cord palsies in the non‐surgical group with known cord palsy. Analysis of the 107 combined patients showed US had sensitivity of 62% (8/13), specificity of 97% (91/94), a positive predictive value of 73% (8/11) and a negative predictive value of 95% (91/96) for detecting cord paralysis compared to the standard of nasopharyngoscopy. Conclusion: Despite the enthusiasm of earlier reports, our initial experience with grey‐scale, real‐time, B‐mode US suggests it is not a reliable alternative to nasopharyngoscopy for assessing vocal cord function post‐thyroid and post‐parathyroid surgery. Further recruitment of patients with known vocal cord palsy is required to confirm or refute these initial impressions.     

Frequency of transient ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia

BACKGROUND: Especially because of improvements in clinical neurologic monitoring, carotid endarterectomy done under local anesthesia has become the technique of choice in several centers. Temporary ipsilateral vocal nerve palsies due to local anesthetics have been described, however. Such complications are most important in situations where there is a pre-existing contralateral paralysis. We therefore examined the effect of local anesthesia on vocal cord function to better understand its possible consequences. METHODS: This prospective study included 28 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia. Vocal cord function was evaluated before, during, and after surgery (postoperative day 1) using flexible laryngoscopy. Anesthesia was performed by injecting 20 to 40 mL of a mixture of long-acting (ropivacaine) and short-acting (prilocaine) anesthetic. RESULTS: All patients had normal vocal cord function preoperatively. Twelve patients (43%) were found to have intraoperative ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis. It resolved in all cases < or =24 hours. There were no significant differences in operating time or volume or frequency of anesthetic administration in patients with temporary vocal cord paralysis compared with those without. CONCLUSION: Local anesthesia led to temporary ipsilateral vocal cord paralysis in almost half of these patients. Because pre-existing paralysis is of a relevant frequency (up to 3%), a preoperative evaluation of vocal cord function before carotid endarterectomy under local anesthesia is recommended to avoid intraoperative bilateral paralysis. In patients with preoperative contralateral vocal cord paralysis, surgery under general anesthesia should be considered.     

Severe stridor and marked respiratory difficulty after right-sided supraclavicular brachial plexus block

Brachial plexus block is commonly used for upper limb surgery. Although the procedure is safe, it may be associated with some life-threatening complications. We performed right-sided supraclavicular brachial plexus block for below-elbow amputation in a 45-year-old female. At completion of the block the patient developed marked respiratory difficulty with audible inspiratory stridor. Although SpO₂ decreased to 82% initially, it was increased to 100% by continuous positive airway pressure with a face mask. On conventional direct laryngoscopy, the left vocal cord was found to be in the midline position and the right vocal cord was in the paramedian position. The trachea was intubated and surgery proceeded without any other complication. Postoperative indirect laryngoscopy revealed that the left vocal cord was fixed, whereas the right vocal cord was mobile, and diagnosis of pre-existing incomplete left vocal cord paralysis was made. This clinical report is to emphasize the importance of thorough pre-operative evaluation of the vocal cord in patients who have undergone any surgical procedure or radiation treatment of the neck before planning for brachial plexus block. If such an evaluation cannot be obtained, an alternative technique, for example axillary approach, should be preferred.     

Vocal cord paralysis and reoperative parathyroidectomy. A prospective study.

One hundred sixty-three patients undergoing reoperative parathyroidectomy were evaluated before and after operation to determine the incidence of, risk factors for, and morbidity of vocal cord paralysis. These patients were compared to 77 patients undergoing initial parathyroid operation, only one of whom had vocal cord paralysis on postoperative indirect laryngoscopy (1.3%). Preoperative examination of the reoperative patients revealed vocal cord paralysis from initial exploration in 11 patients who were excluded from this study. After re-exploration, 10 patients (6.6%) had vocal cord paralysis, eight unilateral and two bilateral. Right vocal cords were paralyzed twice as often as left. In 90%, vocal cord paralysis was associated with removal or biopsy of an ipsilateral gland. Vocal cord paralysis occurred despite intraoperative visualization of the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Preoperative localization, parathyroid gland pathology, and concomitant thyroidectomy were not associated with increased risk of vocal cord paralysis. Hoarseness was the major symptom. Tracheostomy was required for two patients, one was permanent. One patient was treated for aspiration with a temporary gastrostomy. Nine of 10 patients had return of normal voice quality in an average of 4 months time. On examination 4 years or more after surgery, two of five patients had normal vocal cord motion. The oblique anatomic course of the right recurrent laryngeal nerve may account for the greater frequency of right vocal cord paralysis.     

Longstanding recurrent paresis of the left false vocal cord secondary to a schwannoma relieved with laryngoscopic tumor removal

Summary A rare case of schwannoma of the larynx with recurrent nerve paresis is presented. Clinical findings are presented together with those of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The tumor was located in the left false vocal cord and measured 3 cm in diameter, enhancing the movement of the vocal cord and involving also the fossa piriformis. The MRI showed a well defined and hypodense mass extending from the left false vocal cord, the aryepiglottic fold to the left vocal cord. The patient underwent an excision of the mass through a laryngoscope and the tumor was completely removed; the recurrent nerve paresis then subsided. The diagnosis and treatment of this tumor are discussed.     

全麻支撑喉镜联合鼻内窥镜与单纯支撑喉镜下治疗声带息肉的疗效比较

目的对全麻支撑喉镜联合鼻内窥镜与单纯支撑喉镜下治疗声带息肉的疗效进行比较,探讨两种方法治疗声带息肉的优劣,为基层医院临床治疗寻求更好的治疗手段。方法选取2009-2013年我院收治的声带息肉患者60例,随机分成治疗组和对照组。治疗组在静脉复合麻醉下采用支撑喉镜联合鼻内窥镜行声带息肉摘除术,对照组则单纯采用支撑喉镜下行声带息肉摘除术,对两组患者手术结果进行评估。结果术后1个月随访,对鼻内窥镜复查结果结合患者的主观声嘶等症状改善情况进行比较,治疗组治愈率达93.3%,明显高于对照组73.3%,两组比较差异有统计学意义（x2=4.320,P〈0.05）。两组手术成功患者术后2-6个月随访均无复发。结论全麻支撑喉镜联合鼻内窥镜治疗声带息肉疗效确切,值得基层临床推广使用。     

Endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy

Most patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis have a fairly satisfactory voice, but their airway is usually inadequate for day-to-day exertion. In some patients, the airway may be inadequate for even quiet respiration and an indwelling tracheotomy is required. Solution to this problem has involved the following techniques: tracheotomy, lateralization of the vocal cord by either endoscopic or external routes, or vocal cord reinnervation by the nerve-muscle transposition technique. Endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy has been mentioned in the literature. However, the actual technique as well as the attendant morbidity associated with this procedure has not been highlighted. Four patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis of the larynx have been treated by endoscopic laser arytenoidectomy at Northwestern University Medical School. The technique, problems, and results are discussed.     

General anaesthesia for thyroplasty

A new anaesthetic technique is described for thyroplasty. Thyroplasty was performed to restore the voice in unilateral vocal cord paralysis. After skin incision and dissection down to the larynx, a window was cut in the thyroid ala and a silastic wedge used to displace the vocal cord medially. The required size of this wedge was determined by pre-operative computerized tomography scanning of the larynx. At this point the patient had to be awake and cooperative to allow repeated phonation to facilitate correct displacement of the vocal cord.     

Diagnóstico ecográfico de un caso de parálisis bilateral transitoria de las cuerdas vocales secundario a infiltración de anestésico local

One of the most important complications associated with thyroid and parathyroid surgery is vocal cord paralysis due to a recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury paralysis induced by local anesthetics is a rare complication with very few published casesVarious techniques are available for diagnosing vocal cord paralysis, including, flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy, videostrobolaryngoscopy and indirect laryngoscopy. However, these techniques are expensive and are often associated with pain and discomfort among patients. Considering these disadvantages, transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound is an alternative imaging tool for vocal cord examination in patients undergoing thyroid and parathyroid surgery.We describe a case which was sonographically diagnosed a transient bilateral vocal cord paralysis after the local infiltration of 10 mL of 2% mepivacaine administered for the revision of the surgical wound due to a subcutaneous hematoma that occurred after a subtotal parathyroidectomy.