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.
Kimaid
P A T
PA
Services of Neurology, UNICAMP School of Medicine, UNICAMP, Brazil.
Crespo
A N
AN
Quagliato
E M A B
EM
Wolf
A
A
Viana
M A
MA
Resende
L A L
LA
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*