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Prognostic value of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle atrophy in computerized tomography scans for unilateral vocal fold paralysis recovery

  • Laryngology
  • Published:
European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the prognostic value of the posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle atrophy observed on neck computed tomography (CT) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

Methods

CT images of 87 subjects with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) were evaluated to analyze the PCA muscle atrophy and to measure the severity of the PCA muscle atrophy in semi-quantitative manner. The grading of the PCA muscle atrophy was compared with the recruitment pattern of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) and restoration of vocal fold movement.

Results

The PCA muscle was identifiable on CT in 73 subjects. Using the PCA muscle atrophy as an indicator of UVFP, we correctly predicted the paralysis in 69 (94.5%). Grade of the PCA muscle atrophy is significantly correlated with recruitment pattern of LEMG. If the positive result is defined as the PCA muscle showed moderate to severe degree of atrophy, we could predict the persistent UVFP in 88% of patients.

Conclusions

PCA muscle atrophy identified on CT scan in patients with UVFP, is associated with low rates of return of mobility in the affected vocal fold.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 20, Boramae-ro 5-gil, Dongjak-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Doh Young Lee, Dmitriy Kogay, Seulki Song, Ye Ji Shim, Bo Hae Kim, Young Ju Jin, Seong Dong Kim, Yewon Kim, Eun Jae Chung & Tack-Kyun Kwon

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  1. Doh Young Lee
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  2. Dmitriy Kogay
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  3. Seulki Song
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  4. Ye Ji Shim
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  5. Bo Hae Kim
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  6. Young Ju Jin
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  7. Seong Dong Kim
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  8. Yewon Kim
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  10. Tack-Kyun Kwon
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Correspondence to Tack-Kyun Kwon.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee of Seoul National University Hospital (No. 1909-11-1066) and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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The need for informed consent was waived by institutional research committee of Seoul National University Hospital.

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Lee, D.Y., Kogay, D., Song, S. et al. Prognostic value of the posterior cricoarytenoid muscle atrophy in computerized tomography scans for unilateral vocal fold paralysis recovery. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 277, 827–832 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05780-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-019-05780-3

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