ABSTRACT
We examined the thyroarytenoid muscles of 23 larynges in order to assess function-related characteristics and to discover age-related changes. The neonatal thyroarytenoid muscle differed from limb muscles in the slow maturation of fibre types. In adults, we examined the medial part of the thyroarytenoid muscle. It showed a larger variation in fibre size and more endomysial connective tissue than is common for limb muscles. Structural and histochemical evidence of ageing developed from approximately the 6th decade. It comprised a marked increase of endomysial connective tissue and striking myopathic changes of muscle fibres. Up to 20% of the muscle fibres showed at some places of some sections evidence of mitochondrial accumulations and increased mitochondrial enzyme activity (ragged red fibres). The rise of such ragged red fibres is commonly related to the development of mutations in mitochondrial DNA. Significant myopathic changes including mitochondrial abnormalities develop in the thyrovocalis muscle with age and may play a role in the functional deficit of the larynx in old age.
Subject(s)
Aging/pathology , Laryngeal Muscles/growth & development , Laryngeal Muscles/pathology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child, Preschool , Female , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Laryngeal Muscles/anatomy & histology , Laryngeal Muscles/metabolism , Male , Middle Aged , Muscle Development , Myosins/metabolismABSTRACT
The scimitar syndrome is a congenital anomaly of the venous system of the right lung. This diagnosis is suspected when a scimitarlike shadow is found on the thoracic roentgenogram; the definitive diagnosis is made by angiography when an abnormal outflow of the venous system of the right lung is found. Dyspnea and recurrent infections are the most prominent clinical feature. In a child with the scimitar syndrome, a laryngeal anomaly was found that caused stridor from birth onwards. A right-sided arytenoidectomy was performed with relief of all the symptoms. The follow-up period has been two years.
Subject(s)
Larynx/abnormalities , Pulmonary Veins/abnormalities , Abnormalities, Multiple/diagnosis , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Larynx/surgery , Respiration Disorders/etiology , SyndromeABSTRACT
For the first time the hormonal activity of a glomus jugulare tumour, clinically manifest by intermitting hypertension, could be demonstrated by catecholamine level determination in blood. Endocrinological and diagnostic aspects concerned to the differential diagnosis of the hypertension in these patients are discussed.
