Three-dimensional imaging of the larynx for pre-operative planning of laryngeal framework surgery.
Modern laryngeal framework surgery (LFS) requires an exact understanding of the laryngeal biomechanics and precise pre-operative planning, for which bi-planar imaging is not sufficient. The aim of the study was to test whether MIMICS, a commercially available software package for three-dimensional (3D) rendering of high-resolution computerised tomography (HRCT), is suitable for 3D imaging of the larynx, analysis of laryngeal biomechanics and pre-operative planning. We examined four cadaver larynx and one patient larynx. In the five larynges, all relevant structures and landmarks could be 3D visualised. Superimposing of two HRCT scans shows that when the arytenoids move from 'respiration' to 'phonation', they perform a rotating, translating and tilting motion. Moreover, we could demonstrate that the vocal fold elongates by 7% with cricothyroid approximation. We conclude that MIMCS is well suited for 3D imaging of the larynx, analysis of laryngeal biomechanics and pre-operative planning of LFS procedures.
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Phoniatrics, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031, Basel, Switzerland. cstorck@uhbs.ch
Claudio
C
Storck
Philipp
P
Juergens
Claude
C
Fischer
Olivia
O
Haenni
Franz
F
Ebner
Markus
M
Wolfensberger
Erich
E
Sorantin
Gerhard
G
Friedrich
Markus
M
Gugatschka
D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D007830:Larynx / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000033:anatomy & histology