The prevalence and risk factors of hoarseness among pupils in elementary schools in the South of Finland

Purpose: Hoarseness and voice problems are one of the chronic conditions experienced by children. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hoarseness, possible risk factors and effects of the remediation of school buildings to the prevalence of hoarseness among school children.Methods: The material was gathered from all the schools in a large city in the south of Finland and the collection method used was an e-mail survey sent to the parents of the pupils and a simultaneous survey sent to the personnel in the schools.Results: All 51 schools participated, and 5889 pupils returned the questionnaire (39%). The exposure data was obtained from two building experts who knew the repair history of the schools. A subjective estimation of the quality of the indoor air was obtained from teachers and the parents. The overall prevalence of hoarseness among pupils was 6.3%; prevalence being higher in unrepaired school buildings than in schools in a good condition or buildings with a thorough remediation. Hoarseness was associated with asthma and allergies, several respiratory symptoms, and respiratory infections. Exposure to tobacco smoke increased the risk, and consumption of caffeine containing drinks seemed to reduce the risk. Noise, stuffiness of the indoor air and microbial smells correlated strongly with the occurrence of hoarseness in a logistic regression model when controlled for age, gender, asthma, passive smoking, and caffeine consumption.Conclusions: We recommend renovations in school buildings with the aim of providing better acoustics, sufficient ventilation, and a reduction in exposure to moisture damage microbes.

A comparison of two methods of lymph node dissection along the left recurrent laryngeal nerve in McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy

Background

Lymph nodes dissection in esophagectomy is an essential procedure for radical resection, which can not only provide more accurate staging but may also improve survival, while it is technically challenging and may lead to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis. Numerous efforts have been directed to achieve the dissection of more LNs around the RLN and to lower the incidence of RLN palsy, including Bascule method and modified Bascule method. On this basis, we modified and applied a novel method which involves the en bloc dissection of lymph nodes dissection along the left RLN in McKeown minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE).

Methods

A total of 244 consecutive cases of lymphadenectomy along the left RLN during McKeown MIE at our institution between January 2018 and August 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into two groups based on the methods of lymphadenectomy along the left RLN: 77 cases received the conventional method (CM group) and 167 cases received the novel method (NM group). The surgical outcomes, especially the impact of surgical proficiency on the outcomes of lymphadenectomy along the left RLN, were assessed and compared between the two groups.

Results

Demographic data of the two cohorts were similar. The number of harvested lymph nodes (LNs) (total/abdomen/left RLN) in the NM group was markedly higher than that in the CM group (32 vs. 27, P=0.006; 11 vs. 9, P=0.038; 3 vs. 2, P=0.044). However, the number of harvested LNs from the chest or right RLN was not significantly different in the two groups. The hoarseness rate was 1.8% in the NM group, which was slightly but not notably lower than that of the CM group (1.8% vs. 2.6%, P=0.681). The incidence of LN metastasis along the left RLN was 13.9%, 15.6%, and 13.2% in the whole cohort, CM group, and NM group, respectively.

Conclusions

Our novel method not only increased the number of LN dissections along left RLN but also slightly reduced the incidence of hoarseness. Therefore, this novel method of lymphadenectomy along the left RLN during McKeown MIE is safe and reliable.

The Clinical Impact of Vagal Nerve Stimulator Implantation on Laryngopharyngeal Function in Children: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVE

A vagal nerve stimulator (VNS) has been established as the treatment of choice for children with refractory epilepsy. The outcomes of the procedure have been well documented in adults but are less clear in children. The goal of our study was to review laryngopharyngeal (LP) function following VNS implantation in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Tertiary-care children's hospital.

METHODS

Voice, swallowing, and sleep apnea symptoms were extracted from the charts of children who underwent VNS implantation between 2013 and 2021. A questionnaire was sent to parents of implanted children to ascertain the degree of the social and functional impact of the implant.

RESULTS

There were 69 patients, aged 2.3 to 21.4 years old, who met the inclusion criteria. LP symptoms were most common during the first year following implantation; 26 patients (37.6%) demonstrated at least 1 symptom (voice alteration, chronic cough, sleep-disordered breathing, or dysphagia), and 15 patients required adjustments to their implant settings. The incidence of symptoms and the need to adjust VNS settings significantly dropped during years 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 (22% vs 7% and 5%, respectively, p = .0002). The mean score of the Pediatric Voice Handicap Index differed greatly from a normal control group on each subscale and the total score.

CONCLUSION

LP dysfunction in children following VNS implantation is comparable to adults, with the most burden noticed during the first year after implantation. The presence of voice alterations did not correlate with the presence of dysphagia and sleep-disordered breathing. Thorough evaluation, preferably by a multidisciplinary team, is required to assess LP dysfunction postoperatively.

A Randomized Comparison of Effects of Budesonide Spray and K-Y Gel as an Endotracheal Tube Cuff Lubricant on Incidence of Postoperative Sore Throat

PURPOSE

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a frequent postoperative complication. Pre-induction budesonide inhalation is effective in POST prevention. However, it requires inhaler equipment and patient cooperation. Budesonide spraying on the endotracheal (ETT) cuff is simple and can be performed on most patients requiring endotracheal intubation. This study aims to compare the effects of budesonide spray and K-Y gel as an ETT cuff lubricant on the incidence and severity of POST.

DESIGN

Randomized and triple-blinded study.

METHODS

One hundred patients undergoing elective non-cardiac surgery were randomly allocated into the budesonide group (n = 50) and the K-Y gel group (n = 50). In the budesonide group, 200 mcg of budesonide was sprayed on the cuff of the ETT. For the K-Y gel group, the ETT cuff was lubricated with K-Y gel. A visual analog scale was used to assess the severity of POST at 2, 6, and 24 hours after surgery. Other complications of tracheal intubation and adverse effects of budesonide were also recorded.

FINDINGS

Compared to the K-Y gel group, the budesonide group had a significantly lower overall incidence of POST (30% versus 54%, P = .032) and reduced the risk of POST by 24% (relative risk reduction = 24%, 95% CI, 5.23-42.77, P = .012) as well as the incidence of hoarseness (8.6% vs 34%, P = .001) and cough (0% vs 8%, P = 0.041). No incidence of drug-related side effects was reported in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Spraying budesonide on the ETT cuff significantly reduces the incidence and severity of POST.

Supraglottic Foreign Body Missed for One Month in a Child

Foreign body (FB) aspiration in children can result in serious complications that can lead to even death. We present a case of a one-year-old girl child with a history of choking one month prior while she was feeding. A bolus of rice was removed at a local clinic. Consequently, within 24 hours, she developed hoarseness and noisy breathing which was treated as an upper respiratory tract infection at two different clinics. This case report aims to highlight the need for otolaryngology consultation in a child with non-resolving respiratory symptoms following episodes of choking. This will prompt an immediate surgical intervention that could prevent potential morbidity and mortality as a result of a compromised airway.

Ortner syndrome caused by aberrant right subclavian artery: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Ortner syndrome (cardiovocal hoarseness) is characterized by recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis secondary to a cardiovascular abnormality. Ortner syndrome caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery following a retroesophageal course without aneurysm formation is rare, with only 1 case reported in the literature. Cardiovascular abnormalities could be life-threatening and require early diagnosis and treatment. However, such abnormalities are not often considered by clinical practitioners when patients initially present with hoarseness.

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 34-year-old woman without any medical history presented to our outpatient department with hoarseness and mild dysphagia for 1 month.

DIAGNOSIS

Upon stroboscopic examination, left vocal cord incomplete paralysis was noted. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed an aberrant right subclavian artery arising from the left aortic arch, causing focal compression of the esophagus and, potentially, compression of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve compression. The patient was diagnosed as left recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis caused by an aberrant right subclavian artery following a retroesophageal course without aneurysm formation.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was referred to a cardiovascular surgeon for resection and bypass surgery. Both the dysphagia and the hoarseness improved after the surgery.

OUTCOMES

Significant improvement of the left vocal cord paralysis and no vocal cord adduction were seen upon stroboscopic examination after 3 months. During the 5-year follow-up period, the patient remained well, and no signs of recurrence were noted.

CONCLUSION

This case can increase otolaryngologists' awareness of this etiology of hoarseness and consider it in their differential diagnosis.

A Case of Non-cutaneous Kaposi Sarcoma

Kaposi sarcoma is a malignancy common in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). It is a proliferative soft-tissue tumor commonly manifesting as pigmented papules and nodules on the skin. Lesions can also appear on the mucosal lining of the oropharynx and other parts of the body such as the lymph nodes. Head and neck involvement in Kaposi sarcoma is not unusual; however, laryngeal involvement is not commonly seen. We report the case of a 31-year-old gentleman, a former smoker with AIDS, who developed a mass in the throat with progressive hoarseness of voice without stridor. An elective tracheostomy was done to protect his airway before performing a direct laryngoscopy with biopsy. Histopathology examination showed neoplastic spindle cells positive for CD31, erythroblast transformation specific-related gene, and human herpesvirus 8, consistent with Kaposi sarcoma. The diagnosis of laryngeal Kaposi sarcoma in immunodeficient patients requires a high index of suspicion, especially when it occurs without classical dermatological manifestation, an interesting feature in this report.

[Clinical characteristics of 1330 elderly patients with voice diseases diagnosed by electronic laryngoscope]

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of electronic laryngoscope in the diagnosis of senile voice diseases. Methods:Elderly patients who visited the outpatient department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from September 2014 to September 2018 were collected. All patients came in with hoarseness. All patients were routinely diagnosed by electronic laryngoscopy and the results were analyzed. Results:A total of 1330 elderly patients aged 60 years and over were enrolled in this study, including 924 males and 406 females. There are significant differences in the distribution of various voice diseases in different genders（P<0.05）. Among male elderly patients, the top three were: 239 cases of throat malignant tumor（25.87%）, 182 cases of vocal cord benign proliferative disease（19.70%）, 147 cases of vocal cord leukoplakia（15.91%）. Among female elderly patients, the top three diseases were: 183 cases（45.07%） of vocal cord benign proliferative disease, 70 cases（17.24%） of laryngitis, 66 cases（16.26%） of vocal cord paralysis. There were significant differences in the distribution of different voice disorders among the three different age groups of elderly patients. The top three elderly patients aged 60-69 years were: 298 cases（35.06%） of vocal cord benign proliferative diseases, 132 cases（15.53%） of laryngopharyngeal malignant tumors, 104 cases（12.24%） of vocal cord paralysis. The top three elderly patients aged 70-79 years were: 91 cases（24.20%） of laryngopharyngeal malignant tumors, 57 cases（15.16%） of vocal cord benign proliferative diseases, 55 cases（14.63%） of vocal cord paralysis. The top three elderly patients aged 80 years and above were: 25 cases（24.04%） of laryngopharyngeal malignant tumors, 21 cases（20.19%） of vocal cord paralysis, 16 cases（15.38%） of the vocal cords are not closed completely. There were also significant differences in the distribution of various voice diseases among smokers（P<0.05）. Conclusion:With the acceleration of the aging of society, we should pay more attention to the voice of the elderly. The most common disease in elderly women with hoarseness is benign hyperplastic vocal cord disease. The high incidence of laryngeal malignant tumors in elderly male hoarseness patients who smoke should be paid special attention to. Electronic laryngoscope plays an important role in the diagnosis of voice diseases in elderly patients.

The Role of the Otolaryngologist in Early Recognition of Patients With ALS: A Case Report

This case report aims to raise awareness of the possibility of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis in patients presenting to the Otolaryngology Department. We describe the case of a 66-year-old woman with hoarseness who was evaluated by several physicians and was referred to an ALS specialist only a year after symptom onset. Our case highlights the importance of considering motor neuron etiologies in patients with voice complaints. Early identification and referral to a specialist are critical for accurate diagnosis and prognosis and may be the key to slowing the disease's progression.

The Comparison of Inflation of Cuff with 1% Propofol, 4% Lignocaine, or 0.9% Saline on Laryngotracheal Morbidity

Background and Aim

While administering general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation, it is a common practice to inflate the cuff with air. Continuous pressure exerted by cuff on mucosa may lead to postoperative complaints such as sore throat, cough, and dysphagia, which are very disturbing to the patient. Hence, we hypothesized that inflation of cuff with propofol may reduce the incidence of these complications as a result of cushioning effect as well as non-diffusion of nitrous oxide into it. Our aim was to compare the effects of inflation of endotracheal tube cuff with 0.9% saline, 4% lignocaine, and 1% propofol on the incidence of postoperative morbidity in terms of cough, sore throat, dysphonia, and dysphagia with general anesthesia using nitrous oxide.

Methods

Patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia were randomly allocated into four equal groups of thirty each as per cuff inflation media: air (Group A), 0.9% saline (Group S), 4% lidocaine (Group L), and 1% propofol (Group P). The incidence of cough was noted at 15, 30 and 60 min after extubating. The occurrence and severity of postoperative sore throat (POST) was evaluated at 2, 6, and 24 h after extubating.

Results

The incidence of cough was maximum in Group A and minimum in Group P (P < 0.05). The occurrence of POST was highest in Group A, followed by Group S and Group L, and least in Group P. The hemodynamic parameters were comparable with no statistical difference in all the four groups (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The intracuff 1% propofol is superior to 4% xylocaine and normal saline in the prevention of cough and sore throat postoperatively, whereas inflation of cuff with air leads to maximum incidence of these complications.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury in Thermal Ablation of Thyroid Nodules-Risk Factors and Cause Analysis

CONTEXT

Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is a complication of thermal thyroid nodule treatment.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the influencing factors of RLN injury in patients who underwent thermal ablation of thyroid nodules.

METHODS

The data of 1004 patients (252 male, 752 female; median age 44 years) who underwent thermal thyroid nodule ablation were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were divided into benign cystic, benign solid, and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) groups. The parameters related to RLN injury were analyzed, including the largest diameter, location of the nodules, and shortest distance of the nodule to thyroid capsule and tracheoesophageal groove (TEG). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to select risk factors for RLN injury.

RESULTS

The RLN injury rate was higher in PTC (6.3%) than in benign cystic (1.2%, P = 0.019) and solid nodules (2.9%, P = 0.018). PTC subgroup analysis showed that the RLN injury rate was higher in T1b (10.7%) and T2 (28.6%) PTC than in T1a PTC (5.0%, P < 0.05). In the PTC group, TEG distance, anterior capsule distance, median capsule distance, posterior capsule distance, and maximum nodule diameter were risk factors for RLN injury. The logistic regression fitting of the nomogram showed high prediction efficiency (C-Index 0.876). The main cause of RLN injury was insufficient medial isolating fluid (MIF). The safety thicknesses of MIF for benign cystic, benign solid, and PTC nodules were 3.1 mm, 3.7 mm, and 3.9 mm, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Several risk factors for RLN injury should be considered before thermal ablation of thyroid nodules. The RLN injury rate could be predicted with the nomogram.

Treatment Options and Voice Outcomes for Patients With Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis After Thyroidectomy

Objectives

This study investigated the treatment options and clinical outcomes of voice therapy (VT), hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, autologous fat injection (FI), and medialization thyroplasty (MT) in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) after thyroidectomy.

Study Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

A tertiary teaching hospital.

Methods

This study included 51 patients with post-thyroidectomy UVFP who underwent VT (n = 20), HA injection (n = 14), FI (n = 12), or MT (n = 5) from January 2016 to June 2021. The treatment outcomes were evaluated using 10-item voice handicap index (VHI-10), maximal phonation time (MPT), and auditory perceptual rating using GRB scales (i.e., grade, roughness, and breathiness) before and 3 to 6 months after treatment.

Results

Patients received HA injection presented a significantly shorter interval after thyroidectomy (mean: 4.6 months), followed by VT (6.7 months), FI (12.3 months), and MT (22.4 months). The results exhibited improvement in most of the outcomes after all of the four treatments. Additional comparisons indicated that VHI-10 scores improved the most among patients receiving MT, followed by HA, FI, and VT. The differences of MPT and GRB scores among the 4 treatment groups were non-significant.

Conclusions

The results revealed that VT, HA, FI, and MT can all improve the voice outcomes of patients with post-thyroidectomy UVFP. The optimal treatment approach should be individualized according to the patient's preference and vocal demand, and the interval between thyroidectomy and intervention.

Prevalence and Determinants of Hoarseness in School-Aged Children

Hoarseness in school-aged children may affect their educational achievement and interfere with their communication and social skills development. The global prevalence of hoarseness in school-aged children ranges between 6% and 23%. To the best of our knowledge, there is a scarcity of studies describing the prevalence or determinates of hoarseness in Saudi school-aged children. Our aim was to measure the prevalence of hoarseness among school-aged children and to identify its determinants. A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was used that included randomly selected primary and early childhood schools from private and governmental sectors in Saudi Arabia. The data were collected using a questionnaire which was self-completed by the children's parents and covered the following aspects: sociodemographic features, health and its related comorbidities about children and their families, attendance and performance in school, child's voice tone, past history of frequent crying during infancy, history of letter pronunciation problems and stuttering, the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Children's Voice Handicap Index-10 for parents (CVHI-10-P). Determinants of hoarseness were investigated using the SPSS software (version 20). The mean age of the study children (n = 428) was 9.05 years (SD = 2.15), and 69.40% of them were male. The rate of hoarseness in the participants was 7.5%. Hoarseness was significantly common in children with a history of excessive infancy crying (p = 0.006), letter pronunciation issues (especially 'R' and 'S'; p = 0.003), and stuttering (p = 0.004) and in those with a previous history of hoarseness (p = 0.023). In addition, having the symptoms of gastrointestinal reflux increased the risk of hoarseness by four times (OR = 4.77, 95% CI = 2.171, 10.51). In summary, hoarseness in children may be dangerously underestimated, as it may reflect the presence of speech problems, in addition to the presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). Hoarseness was assumed on the basis of parental complaints. Therefore, further research with diagnoses based on a clinical assessment is needed to understand the magnitude of the hoarseness problem and its consequences in children.

Penetrating foreign body in the larynx presenting as hoarseness

Penetrating neck injuries are not uncommon, while penetrated foreign bodies involving the larynx are rare, which can be critical and challenging even for experienced physicians. We presented a case of a 64-year-old man with a piece of grinder blade penetrating through the subglottic region, visiting our outpatient department with hoarseness persisting for 3 weeks. The flexible fiberoptic laryngoscope, CT and direct laryngoscope were used to establish the right diagnosis. A cervical incision over the prior scar region was performed to remove the foreign body from the laryngeal box. Clinically, laryngotracheal injuries could lead to severe crisis without proper and prompt treatment. As to penetrated foreign bodies involving the larynx, a proper airway management and surgical approach are crucial for minimizing the morbidity and mortality. An accurate localization and preoperative planning is on the other hand indispensable to a successful removal and recovery.

Laryngitis after inhalation of liposomal amikacin

A 56-year-old woman with pulmonary Mycobacterium avium complex disease was started on inhalation liposomal amikacin. One month later, she developed hoarseness and was diagnosed with laryngitis. The laryngitis healed immediately after treatment discontinuation, and no recurrence occurred even after resuming intermittent inhalation.

Comparison between I-gel® and endotracheal intubation in terms of the incidence of postoperative sore throat following thyroid surgery: a randomized observational trial

BACKGROUND

Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a common complication following thyroid surgery with an endotracheal tube (ET). The I-gel^® is a supraglottic airway device that has greater advantages in airway management compared with ET. This prospective trial aimed to explore the potential benefits of I-gel^® compared with ET on POST.

METHODS

In this trial, 106 patients, classified using the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system, belonging to classes I and II, aged 18-65 years old who were prearranged for elective radical thyroidectomy, were randomly divided into the ET and I-gel^® groups. All patients underwent total intravenous anesthesia (propofol, sufentanil, and cisatracurium). The incidence and severity of POST and postoperative hoarseness (PH) at 1, 6, 24, and 48 h following the operation were assessed and compared between the two groups. Moreover, the hemodynamic data during anesthesia were recorded and compared. Opioid consumption (sufentanil, propofol, and remifentanil) and postoperative nausea and vomiting were recorded. The visual analog scale scores for pain at the incision site 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively and Ramsay Sedation Scale scores were also evaluated and recorded.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in the incidence of POST 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (61.2% vs. 51.0%, P=0.309; 75.5% vs. 83.7%, P=0.316; 83.7% vs. 85.7%, P=0.779; and 12.2% vs. 22.4%, P=0.182, respectively) and the severity of sore throat (P=0.392) following surgery between the ET and I-gel^® groups. The incidence of PH in the I-gel^® group was significantly lower than that in the ET group 1, 6, 24, and 48 h postoperatively (all P<0.05). Compared with the ET group, a significantly less fluctuation in heart rate 1 min after intubation (P=0.045) and extubation (P=0.001) was observed in the I-gel^® group.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the I-gel^® cannot reduce the incidence and severity of POST in patients with normal BMIs following thyroid surgery, it can reduce the occurrence and severity of PH compared with ET. The I-gel^® showed superior results in terms of insertion time and better hemodynamic condition during intubation.

[Results of a prospective observational study of the effectiveness of the complex drug Homeovox in adult patients with various types of dysphonia]

The voice as the most important means of communication is of great importance in a person's life. Every year the number of specialties for which voice and speech are a key tool of professional activity increases. Diseases of the vocal apparatus reduce the ability to work, and for some people pose a threat of professional unfitness. The relevance of the study is determined not only by the significant prevalence of dysphonia, but also by the insufficient effectiveness of existing methods of treating voice disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the use of the drug Homeovox in patients with acute and chronic catarrhal laryngitis as monotherapy. To fulfill the set goal of the study, the following tasks were solved: evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of the drug Homeovox as monotherapy for various types of dysphonia; evaluation of the effectiveness of the drug Homeovox as monotherapy from the 1st day of use.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The basis for the implementation of the tasks was the analysis of the results of the examination and treatment of 60 patients with voice disorders aged 18 to 75 years. Among them, 10 (17%) patients with acute laryngitis and 50 (83%) patients with chronic laryngitis. To establish the diagnosis, a comprehensive examination was carried out, involving examination, videolaryngostroboscopy, acoustic analysis of the voice. The study design included three patient visits, during which the functional state of the vocal apparatus was examined by subjective and objective methods.

RESULTS

As a result of the treatment with the use of the drug Homeovox, the efficacy and safety of this drug in the treatment of dysphonia in adult patients with acute and chronic laryngitis from the first days of therapy has been proven, which is confirmed by the method of videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic analysis of the voice.

CONCLUSION

The drug Homeovox is an effective, safe remedy and can be included in the complex treatment of laryngeal pathology in order to increase its effectiveness and achieve a therapeutic effect in a shorter time, manifested by an improvement in the clinical and functional state of larynx.

Case Report: A Rare Cause of Stridor and Hoarseness in Infants-Congenital Laryngeal Web

BACKGROUND

Congenital laryngeal web is a rare disease that can cause stridor, dyspnea, hoarseness, and other symptoms. Children with this disease generally have stridor, weak crying, and hoarseness at birth, but these symptoms can also occur during the days, weeks, months, and even years after birth. Respiratory tract infection will obviously aggravate these manifestations, and recovery is slow after symptomatic treatment. Neck CT and laryngoscopy can detect and diagnose this disease. It is important that the disease can be considered and examined in infants with recurrent stridor and persistent hoarseness after birth.

CASE SUMMARY

We report a 23-month-old boy who was admitted to hospital due to stridor and hoarseness after birth. Combined with the results of laryngoscopy, he was diagnosed with congenital laryngeal web, and was treated with carbon dioxide (CO₂) laser and cryotherapy by bronchoscope. The prognosis was good.

CONCLUSION

Congenital laryngeal web is a rare but challenging laryngeal lesion. It is very important that the disease can be considered and examined for infants with recurrent stridor and persistent hoarseness after birth. The treatment strategy after diagnosis should be determined according to the classification of laryngeal web and the severity of children's symptoms.

Tapia's Syndrome (Concurrent Unilateral Recurrent Laryngeal and Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy) Following Left Retrosigmoid Craniotomy for Schwannoma Resection

Tapia’s syndrome, a unilateral, extracranial combined lesion to the hypoglossal nerve (cranial nerve [CN] XII) and the recurrent laryngeal branch of the vagal nerve (CN X), has been observed to occur after general anesthesia for a variety of surgical procedures. Surgical intraoperative neck positioning and airway management are hypothesized as causative factors. The condition presents with ipsilateral motor paralysis of the tongue and vocal cords. Postoperatively, patients often present with dysphonia, dysphagia, and difficulty swallowing.

We discuss a unique case of Tapia’s syndrome occurring after retrosigmoid craniotomy for left vestibular schwannoma resection in a 42-year-old male. General anesthesia was uneventful with an atraumatic, grade 2a intubation and a normal endotracheal tube cuff pressure of 30 cm of water. The patient was positioned laterally, even though the exact head position was not documented. Institutional practice in these cases is for the head to be maintained neutral or with a slight turn. An uneventful subtotal resection of the tumor was performed after retrosigmoid exposure.

Postoperatively, the patient complained of left-sided mouth tingling, a hoarse voice, and tongue weakness which impacted his ability to chew and swallow. He had mild left-sided facial weakness and decreased sensation in the V1 and V2 distribution of the trigeminal nerve. Postoperative brain MRI showed postsurgical changes without evidence of neurological or vascular involvement.

Fiberoptic endoscopy performed in the otolaryngology clinic showed immobility of the right vocal cord. Consequently, Tapia’s syndrome was diagnosed. He later underwent a right vocal fold injection with Prolaryn gel (Merz North America, Inc, Greensboro, NC, USA) via flexible laryngoscopy with a slight improvement in his dysphonia. At his last visit, he declined further interventions based on acceptable voice quality.

Tapia’s syndrome can occur due to the close anatomical proximity of the hypoglossal and recurrent laryngeal nerves as they pass lateral to the oropharynx and hypopharynx. This predisposes the nerves to anesthetic and surgical insults such as over-stretching of the nerves during head manipulation and trauma to the nerve fibers following laryngoscopy.

Our case report highlights this potential rare complication to anesthetic and surgical teams. Awareness of this concurrent paralysis can assist practitioners to rapidly diagnose and treat patients who present in this way postoperatively. It can also enable avoidance of causative factors and remind practitioners of the importance of meticulous perioperative documentation.

Intermittent Vagal Nerve Stimulation-Associated Vocal Fold Movement Impairment

OBJECTIVES

Implanted vagal nerve stimulators (VNS) are an accepted therapy for refractory seizures. However, VNS have been shown to affect vocal fold function, leading to voice complaints of hoarseness. We present a case of intermittent VNS-related vocal fold paralysis leading to dysphonia and dysphagia with aspiration in a pediatric patient.

METHODS

This is a case report of a patient at a tertiary hospital evaluated in pediatric swallow and voice clinics. Patient and mother gave verbal consent to be included in this case report.

RESULTS

Indirect laryngeal stroboscopy was performed demonstrating full vocal fold mobility with VNS off and left vocal fold paralysis in lateral position and glottic gap with VNS on. Voice measures were performed demonstrating decreased phonation time, lower pitch, and decreased intensity of voice with VNS on. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing demonstrated deep penetration alone with VNS off and deep penetration with concern for aspiration with VNS on.

CONCLUSIONS

While the majority of cases of vocal fold movement impairment associated with VNS have been noted to have a medialized vocal fold with VNS activation, we describe a case of intermittent vocal fold lateralization associated with VNS activation with resultant voice changes and aspiration.

A case of unilateral recurrent nerve palsy with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is a disease in which peripheral sensory and motor nerves of the four limbs are impaired due to autoimmune mechanism-induced demyelinating changes through a 2-month or longer chronic course. The incidence of complication by cranial neuropathy has been reported to be 15%, but there have been very few reports on disorder of the vagus nerve and its branch, the recurrent nerve. We report a patient who developed left recurrent nerve palsy with CIDP. The patient was a 48-year-old male. The disease developed as progressive muscle weakness and numbness of the four limbs 3 years before and was diagnosed as CIDP. The symptoms had been improved by high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin therapy. However, from 2 months before he became aware of breathy hoarseness, and bilateral decreased grip strength and sensory disturbance of the upper and lower limbs recurred and progressed. On laryngoscopy disorder of left vocal fold movement and glottal closure incompetence during phonation were observed, and neurogenic changes were detected in the left thyroarytenoid muscle by needle electromyography for the intrinsic laryngeal muscles. High-dose intravenous gamma-globulin therapy was performed and left vocal fold movement recovered with recovery of bilateral grip strength and sensory disturbance of the upper and lower limbs, and phonation was also normalized.

Voice aspects in sulcus coexisting with benign lesions of the vocal folds

The purpose of this study was to measure the clinical profile of patients with sulcus who had concomitant benign lesions such as polyp, oedema, cyst, nodules, or fibrous mass of the vocal fold. We reviewed the medical charts of 38 patients who had a diagnosis of sulcus type 2 or 3 (according to Ford). The patients were classified into two groups. The study group consisted of 16 subjects who had sulcus and associated benign lesion; 22 patients diagnosed with sulcus alone were enrolled in a control group. We analysed psychosocial (Voice Handicap Index-30), auditory-perceptual (GRBAS), acoustic measures and videostroboscopic images. In the study group, the mean VHI-30 scores of all subscales ranged from moderate to severe handicap. The difference between groups was significant on the emotional (p = 0.004) and physical (p = 0.007) subscales. On GRBAS scale, the majority of patients from both groups exhibited mild hoarseness, breathiness, asthenic or strained voice, although roughness was more frequently rated moderate; the differences between groups were not statistically significant. The most abnormally increased values were achieved for amplitude values of acoustic parameters, but significant difference between groups was found in Soft Phonation Index only (p = 0.049). Concerning glottal closure, the most frequent finding was irregular chink in the study group, and spindle glottic chink in controls; we found significant differences between groups (p = 0.004). In both series of patients, the most frequent abnormal findings were moderately diminished amplitude and moderately restricted mucosal wave, with no significant difference between groups. Patients with sulcus and coexisting benign lesions were more handicapped on the emotional and physical subscales of VHI-30. The most characteristic shape of the glottal gap was irregular chink in the study group, and spindle chink in the control group. Acoustic evaluation of voice showed that the most severe disturbances affected amplitude parameters. The clinical characteristics indicated that the presence of sulcus primarily determines the quality of voice, and that additional benign pathologies do not drastically affect further voice deterioration. The coexistence of secondary benign vocal fold lesions aggravates the difficulties in making a preoperative diagnosis of sulcus. It is important to clinically suspect the possibility of coexistent sulcus to plan the correct treatment and obtain better voice outcomes.

A randomised controlled trial of 7.5-mm and 7.0-mm tracheal tubes vs. 6.5-mm and 6.0-mm tracheal tubes for men and women during laparoscopic surgery

Sore throat after tracheal intubation impairs postoperative recovery. We randomly allocated 172 ASA physical status 1-2 participants, scheduled for laparoscopic lower abdominal surgery, to tracheal intubation with larger tubes (n = 88) or smaller tubes (n = 84), with internal diameters 7.5-mm vs. 6.5-mm for men and 7.0-mm vs. 6.0-mm for women. Primary outcome was the rates of no, mild, moderate or severe sore throat 1 h after surgery, which were 60, 10, 17 and 1 with larger tracheal tubes and 79, 5, 0 and 0 with smaller tubes, p < 0.001. The equivalent rates 24 h after surgery were 64, 16, 8 and 0 vs. 74, 6, 3 and 1, p = 0.037. Intra-operative ventilatory variables were unaffected by tube diameter, including peak inspiratory pressure, plateau pressure and end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure. In summary, smaller tracheal tubes benefitted patients having laparoscopic operations.