Volumetric measures of the paralyzed vocal fold using computerized tomography; its clinical implication

Abstract

Objective

To report the volumetric measures of the paralyzed vocal fold in patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty.

Material and method

All the medical records of patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis who had high resolution computerized tomography scan of the neck and chest prior to injection laryngoplasty between October 2015 and May 2018 were included. Volumetric evaluation of the vocal folds was performed by measuring the vocal fold height using coronal images and the vocal fold length and width using axial images.

Results

A total of 21 patients divided into 13 males and 8 females were identified. The mean age was 56.66 ± 20.94 years. The mean volume of the paralyzed vocal fold was significantly smaller than that of the non-paralyzed vocal fold (p < .05). Similarly, the mean length and height of the paralyzed vocal folds were smaller than those of the non-paralyzed vocal folds (p < .05).

Conclusion

Volumetric measurements of the paralyzed vocal fold in comparison to the normal vocal fold in a group of 21 patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis shows the presence of significant difference between the normal and affected site, and the presence of large inter-subject variation. Information on the volume difference between the two vocal folds may be used to better estimate the amount that needs to be injected in medialization procedures.

Keywords:

• Volumetric measurements
• vocal fold paralysis
• injection laryngoplasty
• computerized tomography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Abdul-Latif Hamdan

Abdul-Latif Hamdanis a professor at the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUBMC).

Elie Khalifee

Elie Khalifee is a senior resident at the Department of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery at the AUBMC.

Natally Al Arab

Natally Al Arab and Karl Asmar are research fellows at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at AUBMC.

Karl Asmar

Natally Al Arab and Karl Asmar are research fellows at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at AUBMC.

Roula Hourani

Roula Hourani is an associate professor at the Department of Diagnostic Radiology at AUBMC.