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Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2021Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is an important complication following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Recently, Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUSG) has... (Review)
Review
Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury is an important complication following thyroid and parathyroid surgery. Recently, Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUSG) has emerged as a non-invasive alternative to laryngoscopic examination for vocal cord (VC) assessment. The aim of the systematic review and meta-analysis was to determine its diagnostic accuracy in reference to laryngoscopy. It was conducted in accordance with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane library and Web of Science databases were searched to identify relevant articles. Sixteen studies were included in the review. Pooled diagnostic accuracy was calculated based on weighted arithmetic mean and plotting forest plot. The pooled visualization rate was 86.28% and 94.13% preoperatively and postoperatively, respectively. The respective pooled sensitivity and specificity was 78.48% and 98.28%, and 83.96% (CI 95%: 77.24-88.50%) and 96.15% (CI 95%: 95.24-96.88%). The diagnostic accuracy improved if transverse and lateral approaches, and valsalva maneuver were utilized. Male gender and older age were the most crucial risk factors for VC non-visualization. TLUSG is an efficacious screening tool for vocal cord palsy due to its high sensitivity. It is likely to prevent unnecessary laryngoscopic examination in around 80% of patients, with the potential for becoming a gold standard for specific (female/young) patient cohort through assimilative modifications use, increasing expertise and development of objective measurements in the future.
PubMed: 34830675
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10225393 -
World Journal of Surgery Nov 2021Objective This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracies of various forms of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) in terms of predicting vocal cord palsy after... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Objective This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracies of various forms of intraoperative neural monitoring (IONM) in terms of predicting vocal cord palsy after thyroidectomy. Methods Two authors independently reviewed the six databases (PubMed, the Cochrane database, Embase, the Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar) from their dates of inception to March 2021. Intraoperative electromyographic neuromonitoring (IONM) was compared with laryngoscopic detection (the reference method). True-positive, true-negative, false-positive, and false-negative data were extracted from each study. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies ver. 2 tool. Results Twenty-seven prospective or retrospective studies were included. The diagnostic odds ratio for IONM was 152.9623 ([95% confidence interval [75.4249; 310.2085]. The area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.966. The sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value were 0.8219 ([0.6862; 0.9069]), 0.9783 ([0.9659; 0.9863]), 0.9943 ([0.9880; 0.9973]), and 0.5523 ([0.4458; 0.6542]), respectively. The correlation between sensitivity and false-positive rate was 0.200, indicating the absence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis showed that the diagnostic accuracies of the continuous IONM was higher than those of intermittent IONM, and recent publications (> 2011) was higher than early publication (< 2010). Conclusions As the technology and knowledge of IONM have been accumulated and progressed over the past decades, the predictive value of IONM in postoperative vocal cord palsy has also improved. Moreover, the advances of continuous IONM technology could make a breakthrough in vocal cord evaluation after thyroid surgery.
Topics: Humans; Prospective Studies; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; Retrospective Studies; Thyroid Gland; Thyroidectomy; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 34191086
DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06225-x -
Heliox for inducible laryngeal obstruction (vocal cord dysfunction): A systematic literature review.Laryngoscope Investigative... Apr 2019To perform a systematic literature review on the use of Heliox with patients with inducible laryngeal obstruction/vocal cord dysfunction to: i) identify current evidence... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To perform a systematic literature review on the use of Heliox with patients with inducible laryngeal obstruction/vocal cord dysfunction to: i) identify current evidence base; and ii) establish the methodological quality of published research.
METHODS
Articles published up to March 2018 were searched for key words and terms using Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE and Dynamed. Studies were included if they presented original research into the use of Heliox for vocal cord dysfunction.
RESULTS
Only three studies met the inclusion criteria for review. All reported favorable results for the use of Heliox as an adjunctive therapy for vocal cord dysfunction but none had sufficient methodological quality to support their conclusions.
CONCLUSION
Despite review articles recommending the use of Heliox in vocal cord dysfunction, there is a lack of good quality research to support this conclusion. There is a need for further research to investigate the effectiveness of Heliox as an adjunctive therapy for vocal cord dysfunction.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
4.
PubMed: 31024997
DOI: 10.1002/lio2.229 -
JAMA Otolaryngology-- Head & Neck... Jul 2015The most widely used surgical interventions for pediatric unilateral vocal cord paralysis include injection laryngoplasty, thyroplasty, and laryngeal reinnervation.... (Review)
Review
IMPORTANCE
The most widely used surgical interventions for pediatric unilateral vocal cord paralysis include injection laryngoplasty, thyroplasty, and laryngeal reinnervation. Despite increasing interest in surgical interventions for unilateral vocal cord paralysis in children, the surgical outcomes data in children are scarce.
OBJECTIVE
To appraise and summarize the available evidence for pediatric unilateral vocal cord paralysis surgical strategies.
EVIDENCE REVIEW
MEDLINE (1946-2014) and EMBASE (1980-2014) were searched for publications that described the results of laryngoplasty, thyroplasty, or laryngeal reinnervation for pediatric unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Further studies were identified from bibliographies of relevant studies, gray literature, and annual scientific assemblies. Two reviewers independently appraised the selected studies for quality, level of evidence, and risk of bias as well as extracted data, including unilateral vocal cord paralysis origin, voice outcomes, swallowing outcomes, and adverse events.
FINDINGS
Of 366 identified studies, the inclusion criteria were met by 15 studies: 6 observational studies, 6 case series, and 3 case reports. All 36 children undergoing laryngeal reinnervation (8 studies) had improvement or resolution of dysphonia. Of 31 children receiving injection laryngoplasty (6 studies), most experienced improvement in voice quality, speech, swallowing, aspiration, and glottic closure. Of 12 children treated by thyroplasty (5 studies), 2 experienced resolution of dysphonia, 4 had some improvement, and 4 had no improvement (2 patients had undocumented outcomes). Thyroplasty resolved or improved aspiration in 7 of 8 patients.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
Published studies suggest that reinnervation may be the most effective surgical intervention for children with dysphonia; however, long-term follow-up data are lacking. With the exception of polytetrafluoroethylene injections, injection laryngoplasty was reported to be a relatively safe, nonpermanent, and effective option for most children with dysphonia. Thyroplasty appears to have fallen out favor in recent years because of difficulty in performing this procedure in children under local anesthesia, but it continues to be a viable option for children with aspiration.
Topics: Adolescent; Age Factors; Child; Child, Preschool; Humans; Infant; Laryngoplasty; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 25973887
DOI: 10.1001/jamaoto.2015.0680 -
Paediatric Respiratory Reviews Jun 2018Extremely premature (EP) infants are at increased risk of left vocal cord paralysis (LVCP) following surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). (Review)
Review
CONTEXT
Extremely premature (EP) infants are at increased risk of left vocal cord paralysis (LVCP) following surgery for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).
OBJECTIVE
A Systematical Review was conducted to investigate the incidence and outcomes of LVCP after PDA ligation in EP born infants.
DATA SOURCES
Searches were performed in Cochrane, Medline, Embase, Cinahl and PsycInfo.
STUDY SELECTION
Studies describing EP infants undergoing PDA surgery and reporting incidence of LVCP were included.
DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS
Study details, demographics, incidence of LVCP, diagnostic method and reported outcomes were extracted. DerSimonian and Laird random effect models with inverse variance weighting were used for all analyses.
STUDY APPRAISAL
The Newcastle-Ottawa scale for observational studies was used for quality assessment.
RESULTS
21 publications including 2067 infants were studied. The overall pooled summary estimate of LVCP incidence was 9.0% (95% CI 5.0, 15.0). However, the pooled incidence increased to 32% when only infants examined with laryngoscopy were included. The overall risk ratio for negative outcomes was higher in the LVCP group (2.20, 95% CI 1.69, 2.88, p = 0.01) compared to the non-LVCP-group.
CONCLUSIONS
Reported incidence of LVCP varies widely. This may be explained by differences in study designs and lack of routine vocal cords postoperative assessment. LVCP is associated with negative outcomes in EP infants. The understanding of long-term outcomes is scarce. Routine laryngoscopy may be necessary to identify all cases of LVCP, and to provide correct handling for infants with LVCP.
Topics: Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Humans; Infant; Infant, Extremely Premature; Ligation; Observational Studies as Topic; Postoperative Complications; Risk Assessment; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 29336933
DOI: 10.1016/j.prrv.2017.11.001 -
Otolaryngology--head and Neck Surgery :... Dec 2017Objectives To describe the present understanding of birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility and quantitatively compare it with idiopathic congenital vocal fold... (Review)
Review
Objectives To describe the present understanding of birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility and quantitatively compare it with idiopathic congenital vocal fold immobility to explore whether it is a discrete entity. Data Sources PubMed, Ovid, and Cochrane databases. Review Methods English-language, observational, or experimental studies involving infants with idiopathic congenital or birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility were included. Data from these studies were pooled with our institution's vocal fold immobility database, with the resultant idiopathic congenital and birth trauma cohorts compared regarding patterns and outcomes of immobility. Results The search returned 288 articles, with 24 meeting inclusion criteria. Of studies reviewing all-cause immobility, 8 of 9 (88.9%) identified birth trauma as an etiology, although birth trauma definitions and proposed mechanisms of immobility varied. The study subjects, combined with our institution's database, yielded 188 idiopathic congenital and 113 birth trauma cases. Compared with idiopathic congenital cases, birth trauma cases had a higher proportion of unilateral immobility (72 of 113 [63.7%] vs 52 of 188 [27.7%], P < .001) and rate of resolution (41 of 51 [80.4%] vs 91 of 159 [57.2%], P = .003). Resolution occurred in 24 of 26 (91.3%) unilateral and 17 of 25 (68.0%) bilateral birth trauma cases and in 30 of 40 (75.0%) unilateral and 59 of 109 (54.1%) bilateral idiopathic congenital cases ( P = .11 and .20, respectively). Conclusion While the definition and mechanism of birth trauma-related vocal fold immobility warrant further investigation, these findings suggest that it is distinct from idiopathic congenital vocal fold immobility, with a unique presentation and potentially more favorable outcomes. This can inform counseling and management for infants with otherwise unexplained immobility but known birth trauma.
Topics: Birth Injuries; Humans; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 28871836
DOI: 10.1177/0194599817726773 -
The Laryngoscope Apr 2022Vocal fold sulcus and scars are benign vocal fold lesions that present as a challenge to the laryngologist. A number of different surgical techniques have been proposed,... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS
Vocal fold sulcus and scars are benign vocal fold lesions that present as a challenge to the laryngologist. A number of different surgical techniques have been proposed, aiming at restoring the lamina propria (LP), closing the glottal gap, or both. This study aimed to provide a systematic review of surgical treatment for sulcus and scar and to propose a new classification for these techniques.
STUDY DESIGN
A literature search using MEDLINE and Google Scholar through August 2020.
METHODS
Data on study design were retrieved and outcomes were classified as acoustic, aerodynamic, self-reported, perceptual, and stroboscopic. Methodological quality was assessed using the MINORs criteria. Each technique was classified as direct, indirect, or combined.
RESULTS
Our search included 31 studies with a total of 617 patients. Direct techniques included dissection, graft interposition, or LP regeneration/scar degradation while indirect techniques aimed for glottal gap closure. Only one article performed a comparison between different types of techniques and only eight studied the five types of outcomes. No superiority of any technique was noted in our analysis. Self-reported outcomes were the most frequently improved.
CONCLUSIONS
There seems to not exist a one-fits-all treatment for this clinical picture and no clear decision-making pattern. A recent trend toward sequential approaches, starting with less invasive procedures, can be observed. Laryngoscope, 132:822-830, 2022.
Topics: Acoustics; Cicatrix; Humans; Laryngeal Muscles; Stroboscopy; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 34057225
DOI: 10.1002/lary.29665 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2014Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) or paradoxical vocal-fold motion (PVFM) is a functional disorder of the vocal cords that requires multidisciplinary treatment. Besides... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) or paradoxical vocal-fold motion (PVFM) is a functional disorder of the vocal cords that requires multidisciplinary treatment. Besides relaxation techniques, the use of psychological interventions can help treat the underlying psychological co-morbidities. There is currently no literature that examines the effectiveness of psychological interventions for VCD/PVFM.
OBJECTIVES
To review the evidence for psychological interventions used for the treatment of patients with VCD/PVFM.
DATA SOURCES
We searched electronic databases for English medical literature using Pubmed (Medline), PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials, and Clinicaltrials.gov. The date range for our search is from June 1964 to June 2014.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS
We included studies that reported the use of psychological interventions in both adults and children diagnosed with VCD/PVFM. We included randomized controlled trials, case-control studies, retrospective chart reviews, prospective case series, and individual case reports.
RESULTS
Most reported studies are small case series or individual case reports that have described the use of interventions such as psychotherapy, behavioral therapy, use of anti-anxiety and anti-depressant medications, and hypnotherapy in conjunction with breathing exercises taught by speech therapists for symptomatic relief. Among the various psychological interventions that have been reported, there is no data regarding effectiveness and/or superiority of one approach over another in either adult or pediatric patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Psychological interventions have a role to play in the management of adult and pediatric patients with VCD/PVFM. Future prospective studies using uniform approaches for treatment of associated psychopathology may help address this question.
PubMed: 25152871
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2014.00082 -
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck... May 2013To present a rare case of unilateral vocal cord paralysis (VCP) secondary to spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection and to perform a literature review. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To present a rare case of unilateral vocal cord paralysis (VCP) secondary to spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection and to perform a literature review.
CASE REPORT
A 35-year-old male presented to the emergency department with acute onset hoarseness and dysphagia. History, physical exam and laryngoscopy revealed left sided VCP without obvious cause. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) demonstrated a left internal carotid artery dissection of unknown etiology. Neurovascular surgery was consulted and treatment with aspirin was initiated. The dysphagia and hoarseness resolved in 12 weeks with long-term neurosurgery follow-up as the management plan.
METHODS
Systematic literature review was conducted by 3 independent reviewers. Since 1988 only 9 cases of VCP due to internal carotid artery dissection have been reported. These were reviewed for: demographics, diagnostic method, treatment and vocal cord function.
RESULTS
7 patients had unilateral while 2 had bilateral VCP. MRI was used for diagnosis in 7 cases and 5 cases utilized a type of angiography. All received antithrombotic treatment with 5 out of the 9 patients experiencing vocal cord recovery in an average of 7.2 weeks.
CONCLUSION
MRI is crucial in the work-up of idiopathic VCP. If an ipsilateral internal carotid artery dissection is found, antithrombotic treatment is initiated with an expectation that vocal cord mobility is likely to return.
Topics: Adult; Aspirin; Carotid Artery, Internal, Dissection; Fibrinolytic Agents; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Vocal Cord Paralysis
PubMed: 23668480
DOI: 10.1186/1916-0216-42-34 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Nov 2014To perform a systematic literature review to evaluate the type and timing of therapy for vocal fold paresis/paralysis after thyroidectomy and develop a primary... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To perform a systematic literature review to evaluate the type and timing of therapy for vocal fold paresis/paralysis after thyroidectomy and develop a primary decision-making pathway.
STUDY DESIGN
Meta-analysis.
METHODS
Four databases and one journal were searched using the key words of "thyroidectomy," "vocal cord paresis/paralysis," and "therapy." Study quality was evaluated using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk of bias tools. Data regarding type and timing of therapy were extracted from 39 articles. Odds ratios (ORs), relative risk (RR), 95% confidence interval, and heterogeneity were recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationships between timing and OR/RR.
RESULTS
Among the 13 studies investigating unilateral paresis/paralysis, five focused on early therapy (0-6 months). In these studies, the OR for clinical heterogeneity was significantly higher after neurolysis than after injection laryngoplasty and voice training (Q = 17.002, I(2) = 78%, P = 0.000), and the RR for heterogeneity was significantly higher after injection laryngoplasty at ≥12 months than <12 months (Q = 9.984, I(2) = 89.9%, P = 0.002). In the 26 studies that investigated bilateral paresis/paralysis, the OR for heterogeneity was significantly higher for bilateral posterior cordectomy than for endolaryngeal laterofixation (Q = 3.510, I(2) = 71.5%, P = 0.061) and laser arytenoidectomy with posterior cordectomy (Q = 2.90, I(2) = 65.6%, P = 0.088).
CONCLUSIONS
For unilateral vocal fold paresis/paralysis after thyroidectomy, we recommend absorbable mass injection laryngoplasty, voice training, and neurolysis during the first 12 months but laryngeal reinnervation after 12 months. For bilateral vocal fold paresis/paralysis, we recommend early laterofixation and combined laser arytenoidectomy with posterior cordectomy after 12 months.
Topics: Humans; Laryngoplasty; Logistic Models; Nerve Block; Odds Ratio; Phonation; Recovery of Function; Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries; Reoperation; Risk Factors; Thyroidectomy; Time Factors; Time-to-Treatment; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords; Voice; Voice Training
PubMed: 24739443
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2014.02.003