Utility of helical computed tomography in the study of arytenoid dislocation and arytenoid subluxation.
Conventional computed tomography (CT) has been considered a mainstay in the evaluation of the larynx. A major difficulty with utilizing this modality, especially in the study of the arytenoid, is the time necessary to perform a thin-slice examination through a structure that has a propensity to move with respiration and swallowing. Helical CT not only significantly reduces the time necessary to study the larynx, but enables one to perform multiple high-resolution multiplanar reconstructions. Eleven patients with arytenoid abnormalities documented by strobovideolaryngoscopy or direct laryngoscopy were imaged with helical CT. A comprehensive radiographic examination illustrating the cricoarytenoid relationship in all of the subjects was completed in less than 20 seconds by using axial reconstructions in 2-mm-thick slices at 1-mm intervals, with subsequently derived sagittal and coronal reconstructions. Helical CT may be a useful adjunct in the diagnosis of arytenoid subluxation or dislocation.
Alexander
A E
AE
Department of Otolaryngology, Louisiana State University Medical Center of New Orleans, USA.
Lyons
G D
GD
Fazekas-May
M A
MA
Rigby
P L
PL
Nuss
D W
DW
David
L
L
Williams
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000592:standards*; D014743:Videotape Recording; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology