title: Office-based arytenoid palpation for diagnosis of disorders of bilateral vocal fold immobility.
abstract: Bilateral vocal fold immobility is an uncommon but serious condition with many causes. Accordingly, accurate diagnosis is essential in order to treat patients promptly and avoid long-term sequelae. Historically, diagnosis has been performed in the operating room with the patient under general anesthesia. We present the case of a patient who was diagnosed with bilateral vocal fold immobility by in-office arytenoid palpation that required only topical anesthesia of the larynx. The patient subsequently underwent appropriate treatment. In our opinion, office-based arytenoid palpation is a simple, safe, and accurate procedure for diagnosing bilateral vocal fold immobility.
authors.affiliation: Voice Center, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, USA. krishnapd@upmc.edu
authors.forename: Priya
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Clark A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Rosen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009819:Office Visits; D010173:Palpation; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*