Our Summary

This research paper is about a study done on the use of laryngeal ultrasounds to find issues with the vocal cords in children. The researchers reviewed various studies done between 2000 and 2020, focusing on those which used laryngeal ultrasounds to assess vocal cord movement in children. They were particularly interested in the ability of the ultrasound to correctly identify (sensitivity) and confirm (specificity) if there were problems with the vocal cords.

Their findings showed that laryngeal ultrasounds were 91% accurate in correctly identifying issues and 97% accurate in confirming the issues. This means that this method is a very effective way to diagnose vocal cord problems in children.

The study concluded that laryngeal ultrasounds are a great, low-risk option for checking on the health of children’s vocal cords. This is especially true when compared to laryngoscopy, the current standard procedure, which can be more invasive.

FAQs

  1. What is the accuracy rate of laryngeal ultrasounds in identifying vocal cord issues in children?
  2. How does the use of laryngeal ultrasounds compare to laryngoscopy in diagnosing vocal cord problems in children?
  3. Why is the use of laryngeal ultrasounds considered a low-risk option for checking children’s vocal cord health?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about vocal cord surgery is to follow all post-operative care instructions carefully. This may include resting the voice, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending follow-up appointments with the surgeon. It is important to give the vocal cords time to heal properly in order to achieve the best possible outcome from the surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended vocal cord surgery include those with vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord nodules, polyps, cysts, or other structural abnormalities that affect vocal cord function. Patients with chronic hoarseness, difficulty speaking or swallowing, or other voice-related issues may also be candidates for vocal cord surgery. It is important for patients to undergo a thorough evaluation by an otolaryngologist (ear, nose, and throat specialist) to determine if vocal cord surgery is the best course of treatment for their specific condition.

Timeline

Before vocal cord surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as hoarseness, difficulty speaking or singing, voice fatigue, or pain while speaking.
  2. Patient undergoes a consultation with an otolaryngologist (ENT specialist) who may recommend laryngeal ultrasounds to assess the vocal cord movement.
  3. Laryngeal ultrasounds are performed to accurately identify and confirm any issues with the vocal cords.
  4. If vocal cord surgery is deemed necessary, the patient is scheduled for the procedure.

After vocal cord surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes vocal cord surgery, which may involve procedures such as vocal cord polyp removal, vocal cord cyst removal, or vocal cord paralysis treatment.
  2. Patient may experience post-operative symptoms such as throat discomfort, hoarseness, or difficulty swallowing.
  3. Patient follows post-operative care instructions provided by the otolaryngologist, which may include voice rest, vocal exercises, and medication.
  4. Patient attends follow-up appointments to monitor the healing process and assess the success of the surgery.
  5. Patient gradually resumes speaking and singing activities, with improvements in voice quality and function over time.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about vocal cord surgery include:

  1. What specific vocal cord issue do I have that requires surgery?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with vocal cord surgery?
  3. What is the success rate of the surgery for my particular condition?
  4. What is the recovery process like after vocal cord surgery?
  5. Are there any alternative treatments or therapies that could be effective for my condition?
  6. How experienced are you in performing vocal cord surgery?
  7. Will I need to undergo any pre-operative testing or evaluations before the surgery?
  8. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery?
  9. How long will the surgery take and how soon can I expect to see improvement in my vocal cord function?
  10. What post-operative care will be required and what is the likelihood of needing speech therapy after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Hamilton CE, Su E, Tawfik D, Fernandez E, Veten A, Conlon T, Ginsburg S, Mariano K, Sidell D, Haileselassie B; Pediatric Research Collaborative on Critical Ultrasound (PeRCCUS). Journal: Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2021 Oct 1;22(10):e532-e539. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0000000000002734. PMID: 33833204