Impact of Cricothyroid Muscle Contraction on Vocal Fold Vibration: Experimental Study with High-Speed Videoendoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cricothyroid muscle contraction on vocal fold vibration, as evaluated with high-speed videoendoscopy, and to identify one or more aspects of vocal fold vibration that could be used as an irrefutable indicator of unilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis.


METHODS
This was an experimental study employing excised human larynges.


METHODS
Twenty freshly excised human larynges were evaluated during artificially produced vibration. Each larynx was assessed in three situations: bilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction, unilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction, and no contraction of either cricothyroid muscle. The following parameters were evaluated by high-speed videoendoscopy: fundamental frequency, periodicity, amplitude of vocal fold vibration, and phase symmetry between the vocal folds.


RESULTS
Although neither unilateral nor bilateral cricothyroid muscle contraction altered the periodicity of vibration or the occurrence of phase asymmetry, there was a significant decrease in fundamental frequency in parallel with decreasing longitudinal tension. We also found an increase in vibration amplitude of right and left vocal folds, which were similar in terms of their behavior for this parameter in the various situations studied.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that differences in vibration amplitude and phase symmetry between vocal folds are not reliable indicators of unilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis.
Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: camilaishikawa@yahoo.com.br.
Camila Cristina
CC
Ishikawa
Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Thais Gonçalves
TG
Pinheiro
Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Adriana
A
Hachiya
Department of Electrical Engineering, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, Brazil.
Arlindo Neto
AN
Montagnoli
Department of Otolaryngology, University of São Paulo School of Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil.
Domingos Hiroshi
DH
Tsuji
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007734:Kymography; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D010507:Periodicity; D010699:Phonation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D014732:Vibration; D014741:Video Recording; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*
Cricothyroid muscle; Excised larynx; High-speed imaging; Superior laryngeal nerve paralysis; Vocal fold vibration