title: Spiral computed tomography before and after cricothyroid approximation.
abstract: Cricothyroid approximation raises the vocal pitch by simulating the contraction of the cricothyroid muscle with sutures. The aim of this study was to determine the role of spiral computed tomography (CT) in patients scheduled for cricothyroid approximation. Twenty-nine transsexual patients were examined with spiral CT before and after laryngoplastic surgery. Computed tomography findings were correlated with phoniatric findings in all patients. The average reduction of the cricothyroid distance was 6 mm (range 2-10 mm). The vocal pitch elevation was more remarkable in the patient group with greater reduction of the cricothyroid distance. Computed tomography accurately determines the cricothyroid distance before and after surgery and is an ideal method for follow-up purposes, especially when there is a postoperative reversion towards a lower pitch. In addition, CT provides important data as to the most appropriate extent and site of intracordal intervention to be done for a desired pitch elevation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Martin-Luther-University, Faculty of Medicine, Halle/Saale, Germany. pickuth@aol.com
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pickuth
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Brandt
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Berghaus
authors.forename: R P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Spielmann
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Heywang-Köbrunner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014189:Transsexualism / Q000601:surgery; D014833:Voice Quality