Ultrasonographic diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis:Comparison with laryngoscope / 中国耳鼻咽喉头颈外科

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE To assess the value and limitation of the ultrasonography in diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis(VCP).METHODS We analyzed the ultrasound images of 33 patients with VCP,which were confirmed by laryngoscope.RESULTS Among the 33 cases,30 with unilateral VCPs were shown with ultrasound,having the vocal cords with distortion(n=18)and reduced movement or immobilization(n=27),enlarged fissure of the glottis(n=19),arytenoid cartilage with reduced movement or immobilization(n=30),distended piriform sinus(n=25),and posterior cricoarytenoid muscle with increased echogenicity and decreased thickness(n=10);3 with bilateral VCPs were diagnosed in ultrasound examination,all of which had distortion of vocal cord,enlarged fissure of glottis,and reduced movement of arytenoid cartilages.Ultrasonographic appearances were correlated with laryngoscope findings,with consistency rates of 93.9% for VCPs.CONCLUSION Ultrasonography,in particular observing movement of arytenoid cartilages,could be a non-invasive and effective alternative method in diagnosis of VCP.