Laryngeal electromyography: contribution to vocal fold immobility diagnosis.
Laryngeal Electromyography (LEMG) is a diagnostic test commonly used in patients with vocal fold movement disorder. The aim of this study is to describe LEMG in patients with vocal fold immobility. A total of 55 dysphonic patients with vocal fold immobility diagnosed by laryngeal endoscopy were grouped according to probable clinical cause: 1) unknown; 2) traumatic; or 3) tumoral compression. They were submitted to LEMG by percutaneous insertion of concentric needle electrode. LEMG was conclusive in all patients and showed a majority with peripheral nerve injury. LEMG diagnosed peripheral nerve damage in 25 group 1, 12 group 2, and 11 group 3 patients. LEMG was normal in 4 patients, suggesting cricoarytenoid joint fixation. Central nervous system disorders was suggested in 2 and myopathic pattern in 1. As the major cause of vocal fold immobility is peripheral nerve damage, LEMG is an important test to confirm diagnosis.
Services of Neurology, UNICAMP School of Medicine, UNICAMP, Brazil.
P A T
PA
Kimaid
A N
AN
Crespo
E M A B
EM
Quagliato
A
A
Wolf
M A
MA
Viana
L A L
LA
Resende
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*