title: Factors associated with the improvement of vocal fold movement: an analysis of LEMG and laryngeal CT parameters.
abstract: The aim of this study is to elucidate the relationship of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) and computed tomographic (CT) parameters to improve the prognosis of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. 22 patients clinically suspected of having recurrent laryngeal nerve injury were examined with LEMG and CT studies. Bilateral thyroarytenoid (TA) muscles were examined and findings were interpreted by a single blind technique. Laryngeal CT image analysis of the ventricle dilation symmetry determined TA muscle atrophy. Finally, a follow-up laryngoscopic examination determined improvement of vocal fold movement. Ventricle dilation symmetry and the dichotomized TA muscle atrophy parameter significantly relate to the improvement of vocal fold movement (χ(2)=4.029, P=0.039, and χ(2)=3.912, P=0.048, respectively). When the severity of vocal fold impairment was classified as severe TA muscle atrophy or none/discrete MUAP recruitment, it was found to significantly relate with the improvement of vocal fold movement (χ(2)=6.712, P=.010). From this study, image analysis of the ventricle dilation symmetry to determine the severity of TA muscle atrophy shows promise for the improved prognosis of vocal fold immobility.
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Paulos Y
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Mengsteab
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong-Yi
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tai Ryoon
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University, College of Medicine, Seoul 110-799, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Tack Kyun
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
authors.forename: Deok-Ho
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul 135-710, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Jun
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D011379:Prognosis; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: Electromyography; Image analysis; Laryngeal computed tomography; Recurrent laryngeal nerve; Vocal fold