Correlating voice handicap index and quantitative videostroboscopy following injection laryngoplasty for unilateral vocal paralysis.
OBJECTIVE
1) Determine the correlation between voice handicap index and quantitative videostroboscopy for patients undergoing injection laryngoplasty for unilateral vocal paralysis; 2) assess which videostroboscopy measurements correlate best with voice handicap index in patients demonstrating progressive improvement beyond six months following injection laryngoplasty.


METHODS
Case series with chart review.


METHODS
Patients undergoing outpatient injection laryngoplasty with hyaluronic acid between 2005 and 2007.


METHODS
Twenty-eight patients were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively using voice handicap index and videostroboscopy. Various videostroboscopy measurements were quantified: glottic open area (ratio of open to total glottic area during closed phase of phonation), glottic closed phase (frame ratio of closed phase to total glottic cycle), supraglottic compression (percent encroachment of supraglottis onto best-fit ellipse around glottis), wave amplitude (difference in glottic open area between open and closed phases), and wave duration (number of frames per glottic cycle). Correlation coefficients were calculated using Spearman's r.


RESULTS
One hundred seventeen separate recordings were analyzed. Correlation coefficients between voice handicap index (normalized to preoperative values) and glottic closed phase showed moderate-strong correlation (r = -0.733, P < 0.001), while glottic open area and wave duration showed weak-moderate correlation (r = 0.465, P < 0.001 and r = -0.404, P < 0.001 respectively). Other parameters showed poor correlation. A subset of 25 recordings from eight patients with progressive voice handicap index improvement beyond six months showed highest correlation with supraglottic compression (r = 0.504, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Voice handicap index correlates best with glottic closed phase, suggesting duration of vocal fold closure during the glottic cycle best represents patients' subjective outcome post-procedure. Progressive improvement in voice handicap index beyond six months may relate to gradual reduction in compensatory supraglottic compression, with moderate correlation.
Lau
David Pang Cheng
DP
Department of Otolaryngology, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.
Zhang
Edward Zhiyong
EZ
Wong
Seng Mun
SM
Lee
Gwyneth
G
Chan
Yiong Huak
YH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008875:Middle Aged; D049489:Stroboscopy / Q000379:methods; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014741:Video Recording; D055675:Viscosupplements / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014833:Voice Quality
D055675:Viscosupplements; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid