Our Summary

This research paper is about different methods used to diagnose injuries to the vocal cords. It’s important to spot these injuries early. The researchers looked at two ways of doing this: one method called laryngoscopy, and another using ultrasound (specifically, transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography).

The study found that the ultrasound method was really good at diagnosing these injuries. The researchers used a bunch of statistical measures to show this. For example, they found that the ultrasound method had a high sensitivity (91.54%) and specificity (97.71%), which means it was good at correctly identifying people with and without the injury. It also had a high negative predictive value (99.15%), meaning it was very good at correctly identifying people who didn’t have the injury.

Furthermore, the ultrasound method was great at getting a clear image of the vocal cords. This makes it a good alternative if the laryngoscopy method can’t be used or if a patient doesn’t want it.

In conclusion, the ultrasound method can be considered a reliable and accurate way to diagnose vocal cord injuries. It can be used at any time and doesn’t depend on specific landmarks or definitions of vocal cord paralysis.

FAQs

  1. What is the importance of early diagnosis of vocal cord iatrogenic injury?
  2. How is transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography compared to laryngoscopy in detecting vocal cord mobility?
  3. When can transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography be considered for vocal cord visualization?

Doctor’s Tip

A helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about vocal cord surgery is to consider transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography as a diagnostic tool for evaluating vocal cord mobility. This imaging technique can provide accurate results and may be a good alternative if traditional laryngoscopy is not available or if the patient prefers it. It is important to discuss this option with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your specific situation.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended vocal cord surgery include those with vocal cord paralysis, vocal cord nodules or polyps, vocal cord cysts, laryngeal cancer, and other conditions that affect vocal cord function. In cases where laryngoscopy is unavailable or patients refuse the procedure, transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography can be considered as an alternative for evaluating vocal cord mobility. This method has been shown to have high diagnostic accuracy and can be used regardless of the specific landmarks, vocal cord paralysis definitions, or timing for application.

Timeline

Before vocal cord surgery:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as hoarseness, voice fatigue, difficulty swallowing, or changes in pitch or volume of voice.
  2. Patient undergoes a thorough evaluation by an otolaryngologist, which may include a physical examination, laryngoscopy, and imaging studies such as transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography.
  3. Diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis or other vocal cord abnormalities is confirmed.
  4. Treatment options, including vocal cord surgery, are discussed with the patient.
  5. Pre-operative preparations are made, which may include medical clearance, voice therapy, and counseling.

After vocal cord surgery:

  1. Patient undergoes vocal cord surgery, which may involve procedures such as vocal cord injection, medialization laryngoplasty, or nerve reinnervation.
  2. Post-operative care is provided, which may include voice rest, pain management, and voice therapy.
  3. Patient follows up with their otolaryngologist for post-operative evaluation and monitoring of vocal cord function.
  4. Voice rehabilitation continues to improve vocal quality and function.
  5. Patient may experience improvement in voice symptoms and overall quality of life following successful vocal cord surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What are the potential risks and complications associated with vocal cord surgery?
  2. How long is the recovery process expected to be and what can I do to aid in the healing process?
  3. Will I need speech therapy after the surgery and if so, for how long?
  4. What type of anesthesia will be used during the surgery and what are the potential side effects?
  5. How will my vocal cords be evaluated during and after the surgery to ensure proper function?
  6. Are there any alternative treatments or procedures that could be considered instead of surgery?
  7. What is the success rate of this type of surgery for patients with similar conditions to mine?
  8. How experienced are you in performing vocal cord surgeries and what is your success rate?
  9. Will I need to make any lifestyle changes or adjustments after the surgery?
  10. How soon after the surgery will I be able to speak normally again?

Reference

Authors: Kim DH, Lee J, Seo Y, Kim SW, Hwang SH. Journal: Am J Surg. 2022 May;223(5):893-899. doi: 10.1016/j.amjsurg.2021.08.019. Epub 2021 Aug 15. PMID: 34412901