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Scientific Reports Jun 2021Vocal fold (VF) fibrosis is a major cause of intractable voice-related disability and reduced quality of life. Excision of fibrotic regions is suboptimal and associated...
Vocal fold (VF) fibrosis is a major cause of intractable voice-related disability and reduced quality of life. Excision of fibrotic regions is suboptimal and associated with scar recurrence and/or further iatrogenic damage. Non-surgical interventions are limited, putatively related to limited insight regarding biochemical events underlying fibrosis, and downstream, the lack of therapeutic targets. YAP/TAZ integrates diverse cell signaling events and interacts with signaling pathways related to fibrosis, including the TGF-β/SMAD pathway. We investigated the expression of YAP/TAZ following vocal fold injury in vivo as well as the effects of TGF-β1 on YAP/TAZ activity in human vocal fold fibroblasts, fibroblast-myofibroblast transition, and TGF-β/SMAD signaling. Iatrogenic injury increased nuclear localization of YAP and TAZ in fibrotic rat vocal folds. In vitro, TGF-β1 activated YAP and TAZ in human VF fibroblasts, and inhibition of YAP/TAZ reversed TGF-β1-stimulated fibroplastic gene upregulation. Additionally, TGF-β1 induced localization of YAP and TAZ in close proximity to SMAD2/3, and nuclear accumulation of SMAD2/3 was inhibited by a YAP/TAZ inhibitor. Collectively, YAP and TAZ were synergistically activated with the TGF-β/SMAD pathway, and likely essential for the fibroplastic phenotypic shift in VF fibroblasts. Based on these data, YAP/TAZ may evolve as an attractive therapeutic target for VF fibrosis.
Topics: Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; Animals; Female; Fibrosis; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Signal Transduction; Smad Proteins; Transcription Factors; Transcriptional Coactivator with PDZ-Binding Motif Proteins; Vocal Cord Dysfunction; Vocal Cords; YAP-Signaling Proteins
PubMed: 34188130
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92871-z -
Respirology (Carlton, Vic.) May 2014
Topics: Anti-Asthmatic Agents; Asthma; Botulinum Toxins; Female; Humans; Male; Vocal Cord Dysfunction; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 24689853
DOI: 10.1111/resp.12278 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Nov 2022Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion considered to be within the spectrum of histopathological results from parakeratosis, through stages of dysplasia to invasive... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion considered to be within the spectrum of histopathological results from parakeratosis, through stages of dysplasia to invasive cancer. Narrow band imaging (NBI) endoscopy has been introduced to improve early diagnosis of benign and malignant laryngeal lesions. The aim of this literature review was to evaluate the accuracy of preoperative evaluation of vocal fold leukoplakia with NBI endoscopy in comparison with histology.
METHODS
A systematic review of the literature was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, using 3 different databases: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. The included articles in the systematic review were identified combining each of the following terms: "narrow band imaging" OR "NBI," [AND] with each of these terms: "laryngeal leukoplakia," OR "vocal fold leukoplakia," OR "vocal cord leukoplakia."
RESULTS
The articles that fully met the inclusion criteria were 5 case series, conducted between January 2010 and February 2018, and published between 2017 and 2019. The selected articles included 312 patients (86% males and 14% females), affected by 382 vocal cord leukoplakia, evaluated with NBI endoscopy and that underwent surgical microlaryngoscopy with biopsy. Based on the studies included in the review, accuracy of NBI in predicting malignancy within leukoplakia ranged from 81% to 97.8%, demonstrating to be an accurate method to predict the risk of malignant transformation of vocal fold leukoplakia.
CONCLUSION
Narrow band imaging can help otolaryngologists in the decision-making process on the necessity to perform a biopsy and transoral surgery or long-term follow-up. Larger studies are necessary to confirm the high association of NBI evaluation of the epithelium surrounding the leukoplakia with the histological diagnosis.
Topics: Endoscopy; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Female; Humans; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Leukoplakia; Male; Narrow Band Imaging; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 33213196
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320973770 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Mar 2022Arytenoid dislocation and subluxations commonly are reduced surgically using Holinger and straight Miller-3 laryngoscopes. We present a case of arytenoid cartilage...
Arytenoid dislocation and subluxations commonly are reduced surgically using Holinger and straight Miller-3 laryngoscopes. We present a case of arytenoid cartilage subluxation returned to good position using a 28-Jackson dilator. A 66-year-old man was diagnosed previously with right vocal fold paresis and left vocal fold paralysis following a motor vehicle accident that required a 14-day intubation and tracheotomy maintained for 3 weeks. Evaluation by strobovideolaryngoscopy 3 months following the accident showed severe left vocal fold hypomotility and arytenoid height disparity; laryngeal electromyography showed only mild-to-moderate decreased recruitment in laryngeal muscles. No abnormalities were appreciated on neck computed tomography. Upon palpation of both arytenoid cartilages in the operating room, the left joint was found to be subluxed anteriorly and immobile. A 28-Jackson dilator was used to mobilize and reduce the left arytenoid cartilage, and steroid was injected into the cricothyroid joint. Increased mobility was obtained in the operating room and the patient reported significant improvement in his voice. Six months later, we saw improvement in arytenoid height disparity and left vocal fold movement, better glottic closure, and voice handicap index was improved. A 28-Jackson dilator can be used to manipulate the cricoarytenoid joint without trauma to the vocal process.
Topics: Aged; Arytenoid Cartilage; Humans; Laryngeal Muscles; Laryngoscopes; Male; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 32804570
DOI: 10.1177/0145561320946901 -
Ear, Nose, & Throat Journal Dec 2022Reinke's edema and variceal hemorrhage are complex structural pathologies that affect the vocal cord mucosa. The vocal cords are highly susceptible to environmental... (Review)
Review
Reinke's edema and variceal hemorrhage are complex structural pathologies that affect the vocal cord mucosa. The vocal cords are highly susceptible to environmental stressors, such as smoking and vocal cord usage, thus, treatment involves their corresponding cessation. Here, we report a case of a patient with severe Reinke's edema and bilateral chronic vocal cord varices. The patient had a 30-pack-year history of cigarette smoking and was obstructed with intubation due to acute variceal hemorrhage and severe swelling of Reinke's edema. Moreover, a review of the literature regarding Reinke's edema and variceal hemorrhage treatment and their complications was performed.
Topics: Humans; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage; Airway Obstruction; Vocal Cords; Varicose Veins; Edema
PubMed: 36052403
DOI: 10.1177/01455613221123825 -
Medicine May 2020Behcets disease (BD) is a type of chronic systemic vasculitis that typically manifests as a mucocutaneous disease with orogenital ulcers, skin damage, and uveitis. The...
RATIONALE
Behcets disease (BD) is a type of chronic systemic vasculitis that typically manifests as a mucocutaneous disease with orogenital ulcers, skin damage, and uveitis. The clinical diagnosis is often difficult because of the diversity of organs that may be involved and lack of specific pathological diagnosis.
PATIENT CONCERNS
A 26-year-old woman presented as a nearly 2-week history of hoarseness with throat pain.
DIAGNOSES
In the present case, Fiber laryngoscopy showed multiple ulcers involving the epiglottic tubercle, bilateral false vocal cord, middle area of the left vocal cord, and full length of the right vocal cord. Multidisciplinary physicians combined the patients clinical manifestations and pathological findings to make the Behcets disease diagnosis.
INTERVENTIONS
As the diagnosis confirmed, immediately began appropriate medical therapy (prednisolone at 30 mg once per day and thalidomide at 50 mg once per night in a month).
OUTCOMES
The ulcer on the right vocal cord disappeared but left a scar. Therefore, the patient experienced only partial recovery from the hoarseness.
LESSONS
Behcets disease can cause damage to multiple organs. Although the combination of vocal cord ulcers and hoarseness is rare in patients with BD and has not been previously reported to date, such patients should be treated with caution in clinical practice.
Topics: Adult; Behcet Syndrome; Drug Therapy, Combination; Female; Glucocorticoids; Hoarseness; Humans; Immunosuppressive Agents; Laryngoscopy; Pharyngitis; Prednisolone; Thalidomide; Treatment Outcome; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 32481292
DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000020221 -
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical... May 2024Asthma and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), may coexist, resulting in worse outcomes for patients. The experience of...
BACKGROUND
Asthma and vocal cord dysfunction (VCD), also known as inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), may coexist, resulting in worse outcomes for patients. The experience of people with VCD/ILO and coexisting asthma is unknown.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether coexistent VCD/ILO and asthma have deleterious impacts on quality of life.
METHODS
We undertook a descriptive qualitative study using one-to-one semistructured interviews with 30 purposively recruited adult participants with a prior confirmed doctor asthma diagnosis and laryngoscopy-confirmed VCD/ILO. A thematic and content analysis was conducted to explore the data.
RESULTS
Participants were mostly female (63%), mean ± SD age 63 ± 12 years. Four themes were identified: trapped voice, altered life, knowledge about VCD/ILO, and looking for solutions. Participants reported their voice being trapped in their throat or the voice being suddenly cut off when talking or singing. Self-reported VCD/ILO symptoms including throat tightness and breathlessness were highlighted by participants. The second theme described how patients struggle to communicate or tended to shorten conversations. Insufficient knowledge and existing confusion regarding whether asthma was causing the breathlessness was described in the third theme. Looking for solutions depicted participants' diagnostic journey and how they sought an explanation for the symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS
People with asthma and coexisting VCD/ILO experience a substantial burden affecting the quality of life. These data describe the impact on patients with coexisting conditions and should be used to increase clinician awareness of the experience of VCD/ILO from patients' perspectives to support a personalized approach to care.
Topics: Humans; Female; Asthma; Male; Middle Aged; Vocal Cord Dysfunction; Quality of Life; Aged; Adult; Airway Obstruction; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 38290607
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2024.01.028 -
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons... Jan 2024Flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) is the principal assessment method for vocal cord movement. Because the procedure is inherently subjective it may not be possible for...
INTRODUCTION
Flexible nasendoscopy (FNE) is the principal assessment method for vocal cord movement. Because the procedure is inherently subjective it may not be possible for clinicians to grade the degree of vocal cord movement reliably. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and consistency of grading vocal cord movement as viewed via FNE.
METHODS
Thirty FNE videos, without sound or clinical information, were assessed by six consultant head and neck surgeons. The surgeons were asked to assess and grade right and left vocal cord movement independently, based on a five-category scale. This process was repeated three times on separate occasions. Agreement and reliability were assessed.
RESULTS
Mean overall observed inter-rater agreement was 67.7% (sd 1.9) with the five-category scale, increasing to 91.4% (sd 1.9) when a three-category scale was derived. Mean overall observed intra-rater agreement was 78.3% (sd 9.7) for five categories, increasing to 93.1% (sd 3.3) for three categories. Discriminating vocal cord motion was less reliable using the five-category scale ( = 0.52) than with the three-category scale ( = 0.68).
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates quantitatively that it is challenging to accurately and consistently grade subtle differences in vocal cord movement, as proven by the reduced agreement and reliability when using a five-point scale instead of a three-point scale. The study highlights the need for an objective measure to help in the assessment of vocal cord movement.
Topics: Humans; Vocal Cords; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Reproducibility of Results; Laryngoscopy; Observer Variation
PubMed: 36263913
DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2022.0091 -
AJNR. American Journal of Neuroradiology Apr 2022Several CT findings are thought to be indicative of vocal cord paralysis; however, these signs have never been validated in a blinded fashion. This study attempts to...
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Several CT findings are thought to be indicative of vocal cord paralysis; however, these signs have never been validated in a blinded fashion. This study attempts to compare and validate these signs and determine their accuracy in predicting vocal cord paralysis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed, and CT scans from patients with known unilateral vocal cord paralysis and known normal vocal cord movement were reviewed by 3 radiologists who were blinded to the status of the patients' laryngeal function. The scans were reviewed and scored for 8 accepted signs of vocal cord paralysis as well as for predicting a final diagnostic conclusion. Statistical analysis using odds ratios for signs and the Fleiss κ for criterion agreement among the radiologists was performed for diagnostic accuracy.
RESULTS
The presence of medial displacement of the posterior ipsilateral vocal fold margin and ipsilateral laryngeal ventricular dilation yielded the greatest positive predictive value. Other signs demonstrated high specificity, but interrater discrepancy was greater than expected and diminished the reliability of these signs in predicting vocal cord paralysis. Overall, sensitivity and negative predictive values were low.
CONCLUSIONS
Predicting vocal cord paralysis on the basis of CT findings is not as accurate or straightforward in prospectively predicting vocal cord paralysis as implied in prior studies.
Topics: Humans; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Vocal Cord Paralysis; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 35332018
DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A7451 -
PloS One 2022Currently there is no consistent and widely accepted approach to the diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction/inducible laryngeal obstruction (VCD/ILO). Harmonised diagnostic...
INTRODUCTION
Currently there is no consistent and widely accepted approach to the diagnosis of vocal cord dysfunction/inducible laryngeal obstruction (VCD/ILO). Harmonised diagnostic methods are vital to enable optimal diagnosis, advance management and enable research. We aim to obtain consensus on how expert clinicians recognise and diagnose VCD/ILO.
METHODS AND ANALYSIS
Two-round modified Delphi, with workshop validation.
ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION
Institutional Board Review was obtained from the Monash Health Human Research Ethics Committee. The dissemination plan is for presentation and publication.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
Registered at Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12621001520820p.
Topics: Humans; Delphi Technique; Vocal Cord Dysfunction; Laryngeal Diseases; Airway Obstruction; Laryngoscopy; Vocal Cords
PubMed: 36580467
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279338