[A clinical case of successful treatment of an air cyst of the larynx]. / Klinicheskii sluchai uspeshnogo lecheniya vozdushnoi kisty gortani.

Laryngeal air cyst (laryngocele) is a rare disease that is an abnormal cystic expansion of the deep structures of the laryngeal ventricle. They can be accompanied by serious complaints, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing during exercise, as well as at rest with large cysts. Computed tomography is the most effective method for determining the type, localization and degree of laryngocele. Although surgical treatment is considered the method of choice in cases of laryngeal air cyst, the approach significantly depends on the size of the lesion.

Oropharyngeal swallowing hydrodynamics of thin and mildly thick liquids in an anatomically accurate throat-epiglottis model.

Understanding the mechanisms underlying dysphagia is crucial in devising effective, etiology-centered interventions. However, current clinical assessment and treatment of dysphagia are still more symptom-focused due to our limited understanding of the sophisticated symptom-etiology associations causing swallowing disorders. This study aimed to elucidate the mechanisms giving rise to penetration flows into the laryngeal vestibule that results in aspirations with varying symptoms. Methods: Anatomically accurate, transparent throat models were prepared with a 45° down flapped epiglottis to simulate the instant of laryngeal closure during swallowing. Fluid bolus dynamics were visualized with fluorescent dye from lateral, rear, front, and endoscopic directions to capture key hydrodynamic features leading to aspiration. Three influencing factors, fluid consistency, liquid dispensing site, and dispensing speed, were systemically evaluated on their roles in liquid aspirations. Results: Three aspiration mechanisms were identified, with liquid bolus entering the airway through (a) the interarytenoid notch (notch overflow), (b) cuneiform tubercle recesses (recess overflow), and (c) off-edge flow underneath the epiglottis (off-edge capillary flow). Of the three factors considered, liquid viscosity has the most significant impact on aspiration rate, followed by the liquid dispensing site and the dispensing speed. Water had one order of magnitude higher aspiration risks than 1% w/v methyl cellulose solution, a mildly thick liquid. Anterior dispensing had higher chances for aspiration than posterior oropharyngeal dispensing for both liquids and dispensing speeds considered. The effects of dispending speed varied. A lower speed increased aspiration for anterior-dispensed liquids due to increased off-edge capillary flows, while it significantly reduced aspiration for posterior-dispensed liquids due to reduced notch overflows. Visualizing swallowing hydrodynamics from multiple orientations facilitates detailed site-specific inspections of aspiration mechanisms.

Swallowing improvement surgeries.

PURPOSE: To discuss the different swallowing improvement surgeries that address one or more dysfunctional pharyngolaryngeal structures causing dysphagia. These surgeries reduce the risk of aspiration without sacrificing vocal function. METHODS: We searched the PubMed database and used Google Scholar search engine to find studies discussing the different swallowing improvement surgeries. A manual search of references in selected articles and reviews was done as well. No chronologic limitation was set for the studies; however, only articles written in English and Japanese were considered. Due to the nature of this article, no particular inclusion or exclusion criteria were set when searching for studies to be used as references; however, all relevant studies were reviewed and agreed upon by the authors for inclusion in this review article. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Surgeries to improve swallowing function can be categorized into those that reinforce nasopharyngeal closure or pharyngeal contraction, improve laryngeal elevation or pharyngoesophageal segment opening, and those that improve vocal fold closure to protect the airway during swallowing. They are an effective alternative treatment that may significantly improve these patients' quality of life. Swallowing rehabilitation with the altered pharyngolaryngeal structures is required post-operatively to significantly improve patients' dysphagia. CONCLUSIONS: Surgeries to improve swallowing function address specific dysfunctional sites involved in the swallowing mechanism. Choosing the most appropriate surgery for each patient requires knowledge of the pathophysiology for their dysphagia and detailed pre-operative work-up.

Oncological and functional outcomes in T3 and T4 laryngeal cancer patients: choice for larynx preservation or total laryngectomy based on expected laryngeal function.

OBJECTIVE: To determine oncological and functional outcomes in patients with T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma, in which choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function and not T classification. METHODS: Oncological outcomes (disease-specific survival and overall survival) as well as functional outcomes (larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation) were analysed. RESULTS: In 130 T3 and 59 T4 patients, there was no difference in disease-specific survival or overall survival rates after radiotherapy (RT) (107 patients), chemoradiotherapy (36 patients) and total laryngectomy (46 patients). The five-year disease-specific survival rates were 83 per cent after RT, 78 per cent after chemoradiotherapy and 69 per cent after total laryngectomy, whereas overall survival rates were 62, 54 and 60 per cent, respectively. Five-year larynx preservation and functional larynx preservation rates were comparable for RT (79 and 66 per cent, respectively) and chemoradiotherapy (86 and 62 per cent, respectively). CONCLUSION: There is no difference in oncological outcome after (chemo)radiotherapy or total laryngectomy in T3 and T4 laryngeal carcinoma patients whose choice of treatment was based on expected laryngeal function.

Characterization of dysphagia and laryngeal findings in COVID-19 patients treated in the ICU-An observational clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Dysphagia appears to be common in patients with severe COVID-19. Information about the characteristics of dysphagia and laryngeal findings in COVID-19 patients treated in the intensive care unit (ICU) is still limited. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate oropharyngeal swallowing function and laryngeal appearance and function in patients with severe COVID-19. METHOD: A series of 25 ICU patients with COVID-19 and signs of dysphagia were examined with fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) during the latter stage of ICU care or after discharge from the ICU. Swallowing function and laryngeal findings were assessed with standard rating scales from video recordings. RESULTS: Pooling of secretions was found in 92% of patients. Eleven patients (44%) showed signs of silent aspiration to the trachea on at least one occasion. All patients showed residue after swallowing to some degree both in the vallecula and hypopharynx. Seventy-six percent of patients had impaired vocal cord movement. Erythema of the vocal folds was found in 60% of patients and edema in the arytenoid region in 60%. CONCLUSION: Impairment of oropharyngeal swallowing function and abnormal laryngeal findings were common in this series of patients with severe COVID-19 treated in the ICU. To avoid complications related to dysphagia in this patient group, it seems to be of great importance to evaluate the swallowing function as a standard procedure, preferably at an early stage, before initiation of oral intake. Fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing is preferred due to the high incidence of pooling of secretion in the hypopharynx, silent aspiration, and residuals. Further studies of the impact on swallowing function in short- and long-term in patients with COVID-19 are warranted.

Distinct modulation of tracheal and laryngopharyngeal cough via superior laryngeal nerve in cat.

Unilateral and bilateral cooling and bilateral transsection of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) were employed to modulate mechanically induced tracheobronchial (TB) and laryngopharyngeal (LPh) cough in 12 anesthetized cats. There was little effect of SLN block or cut on TB. Bilateral SLN cooling reduced the number of LPh (<50 %, p < 0.05), amplitudes of diaphragm EMG activity (<55 %, p < 0.05), and cough expiratory efforts (<40 %, p < 0.01) during LPh. Effects after unilateral SLN cooling were less pronounced. Temporal analysis of LPh showed only shortening of diaphragm and abdominal muscles burst overlap in the inspiratory-expiratory transition after unilateral SLN cooling. Bilateral cooling reduced both expiratory phase and total cough cycle duration. There was no significant difference in the average effects of cooling left or right SLN on LPh or TB as well as no differences in contralateral and ipsilateral diaphragm and abdominal EMG amplitudes. Our results show that reduced afferent drive in the SLN markedly attenuates LPh with virtually no effect on TB.

Vocal fold injection material does not preclude interpretation of laryngeal electromyography.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Temporary vocal fold injection (VFI) is a common treatment for acute and subacute vocal fold paralysis (VFP). Laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is useful for diagnosing neurogenic causes of VFP. This study evaluated whether the presence of VFI material prevents interpretation of LEMG in patients with acute and subacute VFP. METHODS: Patients with acute and subacute unilateral VFP (onset ≤6 mo) who underwent temporary VFI within 3 mo preceding LEMG were evaluated. A matched control group that did not undergo VFI was also studied. The LEMG team (laryngologist and electromyographer) performed and interpreted LEMG using a pre-specified protocol, including qualitative and quantitative motor unit analysis. RESULTS: Eighteen patients with VFI underwent LEMG successfully with interpretation of spontaneous activity and motor unit recruitment. Fourteen patients were seen in follow-up to determine accuracy of established LEMG prognosis. Seven of seven subjects with poor LEMG prognosis did not recover vocal fold motion. Five of seven subjects with fair LEMG prognosis recovered vocal fold motion. Findings were similar for the control group. DISCUSSION: VFI augmentation material did not prevent interpretation of meaningful LEMG data in patients with acute and subacute VFP, and accurate prognoses of vocal fold motion recovery were established.

Different types of dysphagia alleviated by the chin-down position.

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) evaluations of pharyngeal swallowing were used to evaluate the types of dysphagia alleviated by the chin-down maneuver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 64 patients who underwent VFSS evaluations during neutral and chin-down maneuvers presenting specifically penetration or aspiration. The assessment of the VFSS movie clips of each maneuver was performed using parameters of the Modified Barium Swallow Impairment Profile (MBSImP) and the presence and degree of airway invasion(PDAI) by three blinded raters in the following five subcategorized groups, 1. patietns presenting penetration or aspiration during swallow 2. after swallow, patients of 3. head and neck, 4. digestive and 5. neuromuscular disorders, respectively. The scores registered for the two maneuvers were statistically compared. Additionally, we examined statistically which factors had the impact on the improvement of the PDAI using fisher's exact test. RESULTS: Compared with the neutral position, PDAI, pharyngeal constriction, anterior hyoid movement, pharyngeal constriction, laryngeal elevation, laryngeal closure, upper esophageal sphincter opening, initiation of the pharyngeal swallow, and pharyngeal clearance in pyriform sinus were significantly (p < 0.01-0.05) improved with the chin-down maneuver. In a subcategory comparison with group 1, 3 and 4, the PDAI improved significantly (p < 0.01) with the chin-down maneuver, in which laryngeal elevation and laryngeal closure had statistically the impact (p < 0.01-0.05) on improvement of PDAI. CONCLUSION: The chin-down maneuver was most effective in improving swallow function when the impairment included penetration and aspiration during swallow caused by inadequate laryngeal elevation and laryngeal closure.

Hyoid kinematic features for poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

Identification of prognostic factors for swallowing recovery in patients with post-stroke dysphagia is crucial for determining therapeutic strategies. We aimed at exploring hyoid kinematic features of poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia. Of 122 patients who experienced dysphagia following ischemic stroke, 18 with poor prognosis, and 18 age- and sex-matched patients with good prognosis were selected and retrospectively reviewed. Positional data of the hyoid bone during swallowing were obtained from the initial videofluoroscopic swallowing study after stroke onset. Normalized hyoid profiles of displacement/velocity and direction angle were analyzed using functional regression analysis, and maximal or mean values were compared between the good and poor prognosis patient groups. Kinematic analysis showed that maximal horizontal displacement (P = 0.031) and velocity (P = 0.034) in forward hyoid motions were significantly reduced in patients with poor prognosis compared to those with good prognosis. Mean direction angle for the initial swallowing phase was significantly lower in patients with poor prognosis than in those with good prognosis (P = 0.0498). Our study revealed that reduced horizontal forward and altered initial backward motions of the hyoid bone during swallowing can be novel kinematic features indicating poor swallowing prognosis in patients with post-stroke dysphagia.

Endoscopic evaluation of pharyngeal and laryngeal sensation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To describe and compare the findings of endoscopic sensory assessment in COPD patients and healthy controls. DESIGN: A prospective cross-sectional study. SETTING: Otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic at a university hospital. PARTICIPANTS: 27 adults with COPD and 11 age-matched healthy controls. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Group differences in light touch endoscopic tests of pharyngeal and laryngeal sensation, controlling for pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx and laryngo-pharyngeal reflux as measured by the Reflux Finding Score (RFS). RESULTS: A significant difference in laryngeal sensation was found between the study groups (P = .047), with reduced laryngeal sensation in the COPD patients. Additionally, a significant relationship was found between impaired oropharyngeal sensation and the presence of pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx (P = .018), especially in the pyriform sinuses (P = .012). No differences in the frequency of abnormal RFSs were found between groups. CONCLUSION: Individuals with COPD were significantly more likely to present with impaired laryngeal sensation. Additionally, impaired sensation in the oropharynx was associated with pooled salivary secretions in the pharynx.

Lightwand-Guided Insertion of Flexible Reinforced Laryngeal Mask Airway: Comparison with Standard Digital Manipulation Insertion.

BACKGROUND The flexibility of the long flexometallic tube makes insertion of the flexible reinforced laryngeal mask airway (f-LMA) difficult. We compared the usefulness of rigid lightwand-guided f-LMA insertion with standard digital manipulation. MATERIAL AND METHODS Fifty-four patients (aged 19-70 years) were randomly divided into a control group (digital manipulation technique) or the lightwand group (lightwand-guided insertion technique). The insertion profiles, oropharyngeal leak pressure (OLP), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP), expiratory tidal volume, and ventilatory score were measured in patients with neutral, extension, rotation, flexion, and re-neutral head-neck positions in turn. RESULTS The success rate and ease of insertion did not differ between groups, but the insertion time was longer in the lightwand group. The fiberoptic laryngeal view was significantly better in the lightwand group than in the control group. However, the OLP, PIP, expiratory tidal volume, and ventilatory scores were not significantly different between groups according to head-neck positions. The extension posture was associated with a significant negative effect on ventilation, but ventilation returned to initial levels with the other postures. CONCLUSIONS Lightwand-guided f-LMA insertion showed a better fiberoptic laryngeal view than standard digital manipulation, but no improvement in the ventilatory state was observed due to position. Therefore, lightwand-guided insertion could facilitate correct placement of the f-LMA, but it has limited clinical usefulness.

High-Resolution Manometry as a Tool for Biofeedback in Vertical Laryngeal Positioning.

BACKGROUND: Low vertical larynx results in reduced musculoskeletal tension and easier vocal fold vibration what is critical not only for professional voice users but also for patients with dysphonia. High-resolution manometry (HRM) provides real time upper esophageal sphincter positioning as a surrogate for laryngeal location and it may be a tool for laryngeal excursion biofeedback. This study aims to evaluate HRM as a biofeedback instrument to control vertical laryngeal position. METHODS: Ten (50% males, mean age 28 years) professional singers were asked to raise and descent their larynx using any strategy with HRM transnasal catheter in place. The tasks were repeated after the computer screen was positioned at the visual field of the participant that was instructed on how to self-evaluate laryngeal positioning based on the upper esophageal sphincter color plot and the variations with real time images. RESULTS: Median downward laryngeal excursion was 2.0 cm without biofeedback and 3.1 cm after biofeedback (P = 0.03). Median upward laryngeal excursion was 0.2 cm without biofeedback and 0.5 cm after biofeedback (P = 0.4). CONCLUSIONS: Singers can improve laryngeal vertical movements, especially the lowering of the larynx, when biofeedback is provided. HRM biofeedback allows singers to visualize the larynx position while singing, facilitating real-time vocal tract position modification and may serve as an efficient tool for singing training.

Targeting the sensory feedback within the swallowing network-Reversing artificially induced pharyngolaryngeal hypesthesia by central and peripheral stimulation strategies.

Pharyngolaryngeal hypesthesia is a major reason for dysphagia in various neurological diseases. Emerging neuromodulation devices have shown potential to foster dysphagia rehabilitation, but the optimal treatment strategy is unknown. Because functional imaging studies are difficult to conduct in severely ill patients, we induced a virtual sensory lesion in healthy volunteers and evaluated the effects of central and peripheral neurostimulation techniques. In a sham-controlled intervention study with crossover design on 10 participants, we tested the potential of (peripheral) pharyngeal electrical stimulation (PES) and (central) transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to revert the effects of lidocaine-induced pharyngolaryngeal hypesthesia on central sensorimotor processing. Changes were observed during pharyngeal air-pulse stimulation and voluntary swallowing applying magnetoencephalography before and after the interventions. PES induced a significant (p < .05) increase of activation during swallowing in the bihemispheric sensorimotor network in alpha and low gamma frequency ranges, peaking in the right premotor and left primary sensory area, respectively. With pneumatic stimulation, significant activation increase was found after PES in high gamma peaking in the left premotor area. Significant changes of brain activation after tDCS could neither be detected for pneumatic stimulation nor for swallowing. Due to the peripheral cause of dysphagia in this model, PES was able to revert the detrimental effects of reduced sensory input on central processing, whereas tDCS was not. Results may have implications for therapeutic decisions in the clinical context.

Relations between body mass index, laryngeal fat pads, and laryngeal airway configuration in adult men population.

BACKGROUND: The impact of body mass index (BMI) on pharyngeal fat pads has been well studied, yet no study has assessed its associations on laryngeal morphology. OBJECTIVES: To study the associations of BMI differences on laryngeal morphology in adult males using computed tomography angiography (CTA) scans. METHODS: All adult male patients who underwent head and neck CTAs between 2011 and 2018 were initially included and categorized according to their BMI: (1) BMI < 20; (2) 20 ≤ BMI < 25; (3) 25 ≤ BMI < 30; (4) 30 ≤ BMI < 35; and (5) BMI ≥ 35. Anatomical measurements included pre-epiglottic and paraglottic fat-pad dimensions, airway width at the epiglottis tip and base, and epiglottis angle. For statistical analysis, BMI was regarded both as a categorical and continuous variable. RESULTS: One hundred and five scans were included. BMI ranged from 15.90 to 44.40 kg/m2. Significant differences were found in pre-epiglottic and paraglottic fat measurements between BMI subgroups 1-5 (Pre-epiglottic fat depth: 17.75, 17.74, 19.04, 20.73, and 21.09 mm, respectively, P = 0.005, correlation 0.343, and P < 0.001 in continuous measurement; Paraglottic space average width: 3.5, 5.4, 5.46, 6.85, and 7.38 mm, P < 0.001, correlation 0.532, and P < 0.001 in continuous measurement). As BMI increased, the epiglottis-hard-palate angle increased (56.4°, 55.3°, 65.2°, 64°, and 68.4°, P = 0.001, correlation 0.354, and P < 0.001 in continuous measurement). No significant difference was found in airway width between subgroups at the epiglottis tip or base. Yet, in continuous variables analysis, a significant negative correlation was found between BMI scores and the airway width at the epiglottis base (-0.226, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In adult males, BMI is correlated with laryngeal fat-pad volume, affecting its morphology and airway width. Clinical implications regarding obstructive sleep apnea and voice quality should be further investigated.

Clicking larynx syndrome - a diagnostic and surgical challenge.

When swallowing, a clicking in the throat may uncommonly occur, causing great discomfort and pain. This unpleasant event may lead health professionals to attribute the symptoms to psychogenic aetiology. The case of a 49-year-old female is presented, who reported an audible bilateral clicking in the throat, associated with neck and throat pain when swallowing or turning her neck. From the ENT examination and palpation of the neck during patient swallowing, we located the source of the clicking on the left. However, during palpation from side to side, the patient suffered bilateral pain. Laryngeal computed tomography with a 3D reconstruction showed a short distance between the hyoid bone and the superior part of the thyroid cornua, accompanied by posterior-medially displaced bilateral superior cornua in the thyrohyoid region. The bilateral sensation of throat pain during swallowing or palpation, in combination with our desire to maintain laryngeal symmetry, led us to a two-sided exeresis of the superior thyroid cornua. This resulted in immediate and complete relief of the symptoms. Although it is an uncommon complaint, clicking larynx syndrome should be considered as a differential diagnosis.

Evaluation of Surgical Learning Curve Effect on Obstructive Sleep Apnea Outcomes in Upper Airway Stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: An increasing number of facilities offer Upper Airway Stimulation (UAS) with varying levels of experience. The goal was to quantify whether a surgical learning curve exists in operative or sleep outcomes in UAS. METHODS: International multi-center retrospective review of the ADHERE registry, a prospective international multi-center study collecting UAS outcomes. ADHERE registry centers with at least 20 implants and outcomes data through at least 6-month follow-up were reviewed. Cases were divided into two groups based on implant order (the first 10 or second 10 consecutive implants at a given site). Group differences were assessed using Mann-Whitney U-tests, Chi-squared tests, or Fisher's Exact tests, as appropriate. A Mann-Kendall trend test was used to detect if there was a monotonic trend in operative time. Sleep outcome equivalence between experience groups was assessed using the two one-sided tests approach. RESULTS: Thirteen facilities met inclusion criteria, contributing 260 patients. Complication rates did not significantly differ between groups (P = .808). Operative time exhibited a significant downward trend (P < .001), with the median operative time dropping from 150 minutes for the first 10 implants to 134 minutes for the subsequent 10 implants. The decrease in AHI from baseline to 12-month follow-up was equivalent between the first and second ten (22.8 vs 21.2 events/hour, respectively, P < .001). Similarly, the first and second ten groups had equivalent ESS decreases at 6 months (2.0 vs 2.0, respectively, P < .001). ESS outcomes remained equivalent for those with data through 12-months. CONCLUSIONS: Across the centers' first 20 implants, an approximately 11% reduction operative time was identified, however, no learning curve effect was seen for 6-month or 12-month AHI or ESS over the first twenty implants. Ongoing monitoring through the ADHERE registry will help measure the impact of evolving provider and patient specific characteristics as the number of implant centers increases.

Home Sleep Testing to Direct Upper Airway Stimulation Therapy Optimization for Sleep Apnea.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Selective upper airway stimulation (sUAS) is a well-established treatment option for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This study aimed to determine if there are benefits in performing a home sleep test (HST) to evaluate postoperative sUAS effectiveness after patient acclimatization compared to the generally used polysomnography (PSG) titration, as measured by long-term follow-up outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort analysis. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of consecutive patients at our center who had completed a 6-month follow-up (month 6 [M6]) and recorded data from M6, month 12 (M12), and month 24 (M24). After device activation, we performed an HST with the patient's stimulation settings, and measured the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and device usage. These values were compared to patients who had undergone PSG-based device titration. RESULTS: Baseline values of the initial 131 patients show high ESS and moderate OSA. At the 2-month time point of the HST, nearly half of the patients (46.2%) reached an AHI ≤15/hr, and approximately a fifth (19.2%) reached <5/hr. The PSG and HST groups differed in median ESS at M24, but no other differences were observed for ESS at M6 and M12. Both groups showed similar AHI, oxygen desaturation, and usage hours per week. CONCLUSIONS: Adjusting therapy by using the HST technique after device activation and acclimatization has clinical and economic advantages. These advantages are contingent on several conditions being met when deviating from the standard device protocol, including precise communication with the referring sleep medicine physicians, especially their role in helping with long-term follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1375-E1379, 2021.

Perceptual Voice and Speech Analysis after Supraglottic Laryngeal Closure for Chronic Aspiration in Head and Neck Cancer.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To evaluate the voice and speech outcomes after tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure (TSLC) surgery to treat chronic aspiration after radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective case-control study. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent radiotherapy for head and neck cancer and who later required total laryngectomy or TSLC for chronic aspiration between 2004 and 2017 were retrieved from a dysphagia clinic. Preoperative and postoperative voice and speech were assessed by the GRBAS and INFVo rating scales. Control subjects who underwent radiotherapy alone or total laryngectomy with a tracheoesophageal prosthesis for other indications were recruited for comparison. RESULTS: Of 15 patients who underwent a TSLC with a mean age of 57.3 years (45-75 years), 13 were male and 2 female. All patients had a history of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The success rate of speech production using their own larynx following an intact TSLC was 64%. There was no statistically significant difference in voice and speech ratings between preoperative and TSLC subjects on the GRBAS (P = .32) and INFVo scales (P = .57), although the quality of voice appeared to deteriorate after TSLC. However, the INFVo scale for impression, intelligibility and unsteadiness of the voice after TSLC was statistically significantly better than for laryngectomy with tracheoesophageal speech. CONCLUSIONS: A tubed supraglottic laryngeal closure controls chronic aspiration while preserving the larynx for phonation, and results in a better voice and speech quality than a laryngectomy with a voice prosthesis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1616-E1623, 2021.

A Prospective Study of Voice, Swallow, and Airway Outcomes Following Tracheostomy for COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented demands on healthcare with many requiring intubation. Tracheostomy insertion has often been delayed and the enduring effects of this on voice, swallow, and airway outcomes in COVID-19 tracheostomy patients are unknown. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess these outcomes in this patient cohort following hospital discharge. METHODS: All COVID-19 patients who had undergone tracheostomy insertion, and were subsequently decannulated, were identified at our institution and followed up 2 months post-discharge. Patient-reported (PROMS) and clinician-reported outcome measures, endoscopic examination, and spirometry were used to assess voice, swallow, and airway outcomes. RESULTS: Forty-one patients were included in the study with a mean age of 56 years and male:female ratio of 28:13. Average duration of endotracheal intubation was 24 days and 63.4% of tracheostomies were performed at day 21 to 35 of intubation. 53.7% had an abnormal GRBAS score and 30% reported abnormal swallow on EAT-10 questionnaire. 81.1% had normal endoscopic examination of the larynx, however, positive endoscopic findings correlated with the patient self-reported VHI-10 (P = .036) and EAT-10 scores (P = .027). 22.5% had spirometric evidence of fixed upper airway obstruction using the Expiratory-Disproportion Index (EDI) and Spearman correlation analysis showed a positive trend between abnormal endoscopic findings and EDI scores over 50 (P < .0001). CONCLUSION: The preliminary results of this study reveal a high incidence of laryngeal injury among patients who underwent intubation and tracheostomy insertion during the COVID-19 pandemic. As these patients continue to be followed up, the evolution of these complications will be studied. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1918-E1925, 2021.

Voice Component Relationships with High Reflux Symptom Index Scores in Muscle Tension Dysphonia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Reflux Symptom Index (RSI) and the Voice-Related Quality of Life (V-RQOL) scores based on the perceptual and analytical parameters in primary MTD patients with no reflux. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen participants, that is, sixty patients with normal voices and fifty-eight patients with primary MTD were recruited in this study. The diagnosis of primary MTD was made by perceptual voice analysis, neck palpation, video-laryngoscopic examination, and exclusion of other etiologies. Acoustic analysis and the GRBAS (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, and Strain) scale were evaluated for all participants. The V-RQOL and RSI questionnaires were then given to all participants. RESULTS: This study included 118 participants of 29 males (48.3%) and 31 females (51.7%) in the normal group. MTD group also included 27 males (46.6%) and 31 (53.4%) female patients. Mean (SD) RSI and V-RQOL scores were 12.35 (3.84) and 11.09 (2.20) for the normal group, and 22.87 (6.97) and 22.89 (7.94) for the MTD group (P = .000). In the MTD group, V-RQOL had a positive correlation with jitter for /i/ and /u/, Noise to Harmonic Ratio (NHR) for /i/, /a/, and /u/, and Grade, Roughness, and Strain of GRBAS scale (P < .05). In addition, RSI had a positive correlation with Strain in the MTD group (P < .05). CONCLUSION: MTD patients in the absence of laryngopharyngeal reflux findings may have high RSI scores. Hence, patients with high RSI scores and disproportionate acoustic and perceptual analysis would require a thorough evaluation of MTD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1573-E1579, 2021.