Magnetic resonance imaging findings in pediatric bilateral vocal fold dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
We studied the findings of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in infants with idiopathic congenital bilateral vocal fold dysfunction (CBVFD).


METHODS
We performed a retrospective investigation of a case series.


RESULTS
We identified 26 children (14 male, 12 female) over 11 years. Three children were excluded. Thirteen patients required airway interventions, including continuous positive airway pressure (4 patients), endotracheal intubation (1), and tracheostomy (8). The findings on brain MRI were abnormal in 8 patients (35%). Tracheostomy was required in 3 patients (38%) with abnormal MRI findings, as compared with 5 of 15 patients (33%) with normal MRI findings. The MRI abnormalities involved evidence of white matter injury (2), abnormal white matter signal (1), subdural blood (3), cerebral swelling (1), and perisylvian polymicrogyria (1). The cranial ultrasound findings were abnormal in 4 of 11 patients. The MRI findings were abnormal in 2 of 7 children in whom the cranial ultrasound findings were normal, and in 2 of the 4 patients in whom the cranial ultrasound findings were abnormal.


CONCLUSIONS
The MRI abnormalities were nonspecific; however, they may indicate unrecognized perinatal intracranial injury as being related to CBVFD. In addition, MRI may reveal an underlying structural brain anomaly. Cranial ultrasound has poor sensitivity and specificity. Hence, MRI should be considered as part of the routine assessment of neonates with CBVFD.
The Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Joel I
JI
Steiner
A Michelle
AM
Fink
Robert G
RG
Berkowitz
D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D045422:Continuous Positive Airway Pressure; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014139:Tracheostomy; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014833:Voice Quality