Principles of Subglottic and Tracheal Visualization with Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The subglottic area and trachea are important parts of the upper airway, and can be visualized easily using transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL). The aim of this study was to develop a clinical grading system to assist in documentation of the subglottic area and trachea with TFL, and to demonstrate the basic principles of visualization of these anatomic areas as a laryngology practice. METHODS: The TFL videos of 100 randomized patients were evaluated by three laryngologists. The simple head extension (SHE) position and flexion position (FP) were applied to the patients during the visualization of the subglottic area and trachea. A paired t test was used to compare the grades of the subglottic and tracheal view according to the SHE and FP scores. RESULTS: This study examined 50 male and 50 female patients ranging in age from 28 to 83 years (mean age: 50.09 ± 13.05 years). For the SHE and FP, the numbers of patients constituting grade 1 were 2 and 35, grade 2 were 2 and 37, grade 3 were 30 and 19, and grade 4 were 41 and 9, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between SHE and FP (P  <  0.05). The k score was 0.785 between the ratings of observer 1 and observer 2; 0.771 between observer 1 and observer 3; and 0.757 between observer 2 and observer 3 (P  <  0.001). CONCLUSION: This new grading system for the visualization of the subglottis and trachea can help physicians assess and identify the upper airways, and FP provides a better subglottic and tracheal view than SHE.

Laryngoscopic Examination During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Turkish Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society and Turkish Professional Voice Society Recommendations.

COVID-19 is highly transmissible and spreads rapidly in the population. This increases the occupational risk for health care workers. In otolaryngology clinic practice, patients with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms are common. Also, routine head and neck examinations such as oral cavity examination, nasal/nasopharyngeal examination, or video laryngostroboscopic evaluation are highly risky because of the aerosol formation. To emphasize this issue, two leading otolaryngology organizations in Turkey; 'Voice Speech and Swallowing Disorders Society', and 'Professional Voice Society' gathered a task force. This task force aimed to prepare a consensus report that would provide practical recommendations of the safety measurements during routine clinical care of laryngology patients. To fulfill this, universal aim, on the 2nd and 9th of May 2020, two web-based meetings were conducted by 20 expert physicians. This eighteen items list was prepared as an output.

Optimal Position for Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL) is a simple, safe, and cost-effective procedure. TFL is routinely performed to awake patients in a sitting position but there is no a definite data about ideal head and neck position to be applied. The aim of this study is to determine which position is most appropriate to obtain the best laryngeal view during the TFL. METHODS: The TFL videos of 132 randomized patients were evaluated by three blind observers experienced with laryngology. Three basic head positions; simple head extension (SHE), sniffing position (SP), and neutral position (NP) were performed during the TFL-Interobserver agreements for the grading system scores were assessed by using the kappa (k) statistic. RESULTS: For the SHE and SP, the numbers of patients constituting grade 1 were 127 (96.2%) and 126 (95.5%), respectively, while grade 2a were 5 (3.8%) and 6 (4.5%), respectively. In NP, the number of patients constituting grade 1 was 5 (3.8%), while grade 2a was 83 (62.9%), grade 2b was 37 (28%), and grade 3 was 7 (5.3%). The k score of the SHE was 0.826 (P < 0.001) between the ratings of observer 1 and observer 2, 0.905 (P < 0.001) between observer 1 and observer 3, and 0.919 (P < 0.001) between observer 2 and observer 3. These values denote nearly perfect agreement. A complete agreement was seen in 130 of the 132 (98.48%) videos. CONCLUSION: SHE and SP both provide a better glottic view than the NP and demonstrate the same success.

The Effect of Obesity on Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL) is a practical and cost-effective procedure, allowing excellent evaluation of the upper airway with minimal risk of complications. The effect of obesity on endoscopic examination still remains unclear. The aim of this study was to determine if obesity has an effect on TFL. METHODS: Demographic data including age and gender, and physical and endoscopic examinations including body mass index (BMI), neck circumference, and grade of the laryngeal view according to Tasli classification (TC), Mallampati classification (MC), Friedman classification, and Moore tongue base classification (MTC) scores of 200 patients were evaluated. The patients were divided into two categories as obese and nonobese, and the scores of patients were compared. RESULTS: Evaluation was made of 99 (50.5%) obese and 97 (49.5%) nonobese patients ranging in age from 18 to 65 years (mean age: 37.89 ± 13.55 years). Of the 196 patients in this study, 101 (51.5%) were male, and 95 (48.5%) were female. The mean BMI of the obese and nonobese patients was 33.18 ± 5.18 (min: 25, max: 45) and 22.48 ± 1.5 (min: 19, max: 24), respectively. According to cutoff points, 27 patients (27.3%) were classified as overweight, 30 (30.3%) as obese, and 42 (42.4%) as morbidly obese. According to TC, there was no statistically significant difference between the obese and nonobese groups (mean difference 0.12, P: 0.39). In Pearson correlation analysis, the scores for a correlation between TC, and MC and MTC were 0.206 (very weak) and 0.653 (strong), respectively, which were statistically significant (P < 0.05). There was no correlation between TC and BMI values (r = -0.051; P: 0.48). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that obesity influences the scores of MC, Friedman classification, and MTC, but does not affect the laryngeal view on TFL.

Analysis of Age-Related Differences of Risk Factors and Comorbidities in Laryngotracheal Stenosis Patients.

Laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) is a life threatening airway problem that is mainly caused by prolonged intubation. The authors intend to assess whether there was variability in the risk factors depending on age, and to determine which risk factors and comorbidities were more important in the development of LTS at older or younger ages. Fifty-two LTS patients were evaluated for comorbidities and risk factors retrospectively. The LTS etiologies, demographics, and medical and surgical histories of the patients were determined by the medical records. The patients under 40 years old were defined as group 1, and the patients 40 years of age or older were defined as group 2. Our study revealed that with regard to GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection, there was a statistically significant difference between group 1 and group 2 (p = 0.025, p = 0.0005, p = 0.002, and p = 0.000, respectively). Those patients ≥ 40 years old exhibited higher rates of GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection. However, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups with regard to smoking, alcohol consumption, COPD/asthma, immunological disease, and obesity (BMI > 30). There was a statistically significant difference between the groups for all the risk factors except a previous tracheotomy (p = 0.115). The risk factors and comorbidities thought to be involved in the development of LTS could show age-related variability. Therefore, in patients over 40 years of age with comorbidities (GERD, hypertension, DM2, and pulmonary infection), it is necessary to take precautions before the development of LTS. Prolonged intubation and tracheotomy history are the main risk factors for all patients, regardless of age.

Does Pepsin Play a Role in Etiology of Laryngeal Nodules?

OBJECTIVES: Vocal fold nodules (VFNs) are benign disorders affecting the superficial lamina propria of the true vocal folds. The etiology of VFNs still remains unclear but laryngeal trauma caused by vocal abuse, tobacco, alcohol, and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) plays a crucial role on the pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the presence of pepsin in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FEPE) specimens of VFNs to evaluate the role of LPR as a risk factor for VFNs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 28 pathology specimens of patients suffering from VFNs who had undergone laser microsurgery under general anesthesia were evaluated. The specimens were maintained in paraffin blocks in the pathology department. Western blot (WB) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analyses were used to measure pepsin enzyme levels in the VFNs tissue specimens. Signs of LPR were assessed according to the reflux finding score. RESULTS: The mean reflux finding score of the patients was 13.6 ± 2.89 (8-21). According to WB and ELISA analyses, pepsin was detected with both the WB the ELISA tests in positive controls, but there was no pepsin enzyme in any of the 28 laryngeal FEPE VFNs specimens. CONCLUSION: The pepsin enzyme was not detected in any of the FEPE VFNs specimens, and it is concluded that further studies are needed to reveal the role of pepsin in the etiology of VFNs.

A Grading System for Transnasal Flexible Laryngoscopy.

OBJECTIVE: Transnasal flexible laryngoscopy (TFL) is becoming more popular in laryngology clinical practice. There has not been any grading system for TFL to help the physician document and communicate the laryngeal view yet. In this study, we aimed to classify the laryngeal view based on the visualization of the glottic aperture with TFL performed on conscious patients. METHODS: The TFL videos of 920 randomized patients were evaluated by three blind observers experienced with laryngology. The laryngeal view, consisting of the basic anatomic landmarks of the glottis, arytenoids, and epiglottis, was examined, and the glottic aperture was classified with a five-point grading system. Interobserver agreements for the grading system scores were assessed by using the kappa (k) statistic. RESULTS: Nine hundred and twenty subjects were enrolled in the study. Six hundred and thirty-eight (69.3%) were men, and 282 (30.6%) were women, and the mean age was 40.13 ± 15.08 (18-89 years). The number of patients constituting grade 1 was 737 (80.1%), while grade 2a was 122 (13.2%), grade 2b was 32 (3.4%), grade 3 was 24 (2.6%), and finally, grade 4 was only 5 (0.5%). The k score was 0.945 (P < 0.001) between the ratings of observer 1 and observer 2, 0.933 (P < 0.001) between observer 1 and observer 3, and 0.91 (P < 0.001) between observer 2 and observer 3. CONCLUSION: This new grading system for the laryngeal view can help physicians assess the upper airways, and it can also help visualize how much of a glottic opening there is.

Surgical Management of Dysphagia Due to Anterior Cervical Osteophytes.

PURPOSE: The present study was performed to share personal experiences and to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of anterior cervical osteophytes surgical procedures. METHODS: The operative records of anterior cervical osteophytes patients who did not benefit from conventional treatments and underwent osteophytectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Transoral and transcervical anterolateral methods were applied, considering both the localization of the osteophyte and the patient's preference. RESULTS: Five patients were operated with the transcervical anterolateral method, and 3 patients were operated with the transoral procedure. Those using the transcervical method were likely to encounter complications, however, being comfortable for patients. Although the transoral procedure is much safer, the patients may face postoperative pain, long healing time, and morbidities as hematoma, cervical instability, and infection after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Both transcervical and transoral methods will improve the functional swallowing pathologies and decrease aspiration-penetration. Transoral approach is not recommended due to slow healing times and postoperative pain, although it creates easier access to the spine.

Three Cases of Relapsing Polycondritis with Isolated Laryngotracheal Stenosis.

Relapsing polychondritis (RP) is a rare autoimmune and inflammatory disease, particularly characterized by recurrent inflammation of the hyaline cartilage. Laryngotracheal involvement in RP is the most serious complication that is observed in 50% of the patients and may lead to a life-threatening condition. The most common cause of death is laryngotracheal stenosis associated with lung infections or severe respiratory insufficiency that may be observed in 10%-50% of the patients. In this study, three RP patients comprising a child with isolated laryngotracheal stenosis have been presented.

Effects of Nasal Obstruction due to Nasal Polyposis on Nasal Resonance and Voice Perception.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use subjective and objective methods to investigate the effects of total or nearly total nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis on nasal resonance and voice perception. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 63 nasal polyposis patients (53 men and 10 women), aged between 19 and 72 years (mean age 37.01 ± 13.70), were included in the study. The severity of the nasal obstruction was assessed using a visual analog scale. Nasal resonance and voice perception were evaluated subjectively by the voice handicap index (VHI)-10 questionnaire and objectively by computerized analysis (nasometry) before and after treatment of patients with nasal polyposis. RESULTS: Significant improvement was seen in the nasal obstruction values in all patients (100%; p < 0.001) and in the VHI-10 scores in 62 patients (98%; p < 0.001). Nasalance scores increased in all patients following treatment (100%; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Voice perception is negatively affected by nasal obstruction due to nasal polyposis, and changes in voice perception may arise after the surgery. Before the surgery, informing the patient about potential voice perception changes may be useful for the prevention of legal disputes.

The Practicability of Transnasal Esophagoscopy and the Evaluation of Patient's Perception: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVES: Transnasal esophagoscopy (TNE) is a relatively new diagnostic procedure in the evaluation of patients with globus sensation and dysphagia. Enabling doctors to examine all of the upper aerodigestive system without the need for sedation, this technique is becoming more popular among otolaryngology specialists. The aim of this study is to evaluate the practicability of TNE and tolerability of patients to the test. METHODS: The study group consisted of 314 patients who were admitted to the swallowing center of a tertiary medical institution with the symptoms of dysphagia and globus sensation. In addition to other diagnostic procedures, patients were informed of the TNE and the necessary consents were obtained. Before the examination, patients were asked to foresee the level of discomfort they would presumably feel, according to the information they had. After the TNE, patients were asked to score the real level of discomfort they experienced during the test. A visual analog scale was used to note the levels. The duration of the tests and any complications were also noted. RESULTS: We could not perform TNE in 12 of the 314 patients due to nasal obstruction, intractable retching and vasovagal syncope (7, 4, and 1 patients, respectively). The average discomfort score foreseen before the test was 4.7±1.4 (mean±standard deviation). The post-procedure discomfort score was 1.6±1.1, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.001). The average time to perform the TNE was 5 minutes (range, 3 to 13 minutes). Except for minor epistaxis in 7 patients (2%), no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: According to our results, TNE is an easy and well-tolerated procedure, it may be logical to tell the patient that the procedure will be less annoying and irritating than they assume. It is also a time saving procedure with low complication rates.

Impact of patient-related factors on the outcomes of office-based injection laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In-office percutaneous injection laryngoplasty (IL) is a common treatment for glottal insufficiency. The objective of this prospective study was to determine if voice outcomes from IL are affected by age, gender, or initial disease severity. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients undergoing awake injection laryngoplasty were recruited from a subspecialty laryngology clinic. Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30); Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V); and Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain (GRBAS) Dysphonia Scale were evaluated prior to and 2 months after injection. Patients who had more severe disease were defined as those patients with greater initial perception of handicap, with a VHI score greater than 60. RESULTS: Thirty-five subjects were enrolled, and 27 (16 male; mean age 61.6 ± 13.2 years) had complete data. No impact from age or gender was seen on outcomes from IL as measured by VHI-30 (P = 0.397 for age; P = 0.764 for gender), CAPE-V (P = 0.675 for age, P = 0.975 for gender), or GRBAS (P = 0.213 for age, P = 0.983 for gender). Patients with poorer initial VHI tended to have more significant improvement (P = 0.002), which may represent a ceiling effect. CONCLUSIONS: In this prospective clinical study, age and gender did not affect outcome in IL. Patients with more severe disease appeared to have greater improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 126:1806-1809, 2016.

Do Pharyngeal Surgeries for Snoring and Obstructive Sleep Apnea Have an Impact on Nasalance Scores?

OBJECTIVE: Most of the surgeries which are used in the treatment of habitual snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) mainly target velopharyngeal structures, which play an important role in voice characteristics such as nasalance. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of different types of such surgical procedures including expansion sphincter pharyngoplasty (ESP), lateral pharyngoplasty (LP), and anterior palatoplasty (AP) on nasalance scores. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-nine consecutive patients with primary snoring or OSA who underwent AP, LP, and ESP procedures were included in this study. All patients underwent a fully attended overnight polysomnography and detailed otolaryngologic examination. Nasalance studies were performed with Nasometer II instrument (model 6400; Kay Elemetrics, Lincoln Park, NJ) by reading 3 passages that were categorized according to the amount of nasal consonants (oral, oro-nasal, and nasal passages), preoperatively, and 3 months after surgery. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in either group between preoperative and postoperative assessments of nasalance scores for all 3 passages. Seven patients experienced nasal regurgitation symptoms for fluids for a short time after LP, 2 patients after AP, and 7 patients after ESP. None of these symptoms showed persistence and diminished approximately at 1-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Anterior palatoplasty, LP, and ESP seem not to have any impact on nasalance scores of males.

Airway and Respiration Parameters Improve Following Vocal Fold Medialization: A Prospective Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Laryngeal medialization procedures such as injection laryngoplasty (IL) and thyroplasty type 1 (TT1) are standard techniques for the treatment of glottic insufficiency related to unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). These procedures reliably improve the voice and may also improve swallowing function. Despite the association of laryngeal paralysis with airway regulation, there is little published on the effect of UVFP and its surgical treatment on respiration. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the aerodynamic outcomes of UVFP patients before and after vocal fold medialization, either by IL or TT1. METHODS: Consecutive patients with dysphonia due to UVFP were included in this prospective study between 2012 and 2014. Nineteen patients were investigated (5 females, 14 males) with a mean age of 37.05 ± 17.8 years. Eight patients were treated by IL while 11 patients received TT1. The patients were subjected to Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) and Borg dyspnea scales, maximum phonation time (MPT) measurement, spirometry, and cycle ergometry, pre- and postoperatively at 2 months. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in MPT from 5.5 ± 3 seconds to 11.2 ± 4.9 seconds postoperatively (P < .001). The MMRC and Borg dyspnea scales also showed significant improvement postoperatively (P < .001, P = .006, respectively). The change in spirometric parameters (peak expiratory flow, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced vital capacity, and peak inspiratory flow) were nonsignificant, while there was a significant improvement in cycle ergometry test postoperatively (P = .018). CONCLUSION: Laryngeal medialization procedures such as IL and TT1 improve UVFP patients' respiration-related quality of life and aerodynamic performance with no significant changes in spirometry.

Submandibular triangle masses.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to analyze the demographic data of a large case series operated on because of submandibular triangle mass for more than 10 years and presents a review of the literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The charts of patients who underwent surgical intervention for submandibular triangle mass between January 2000 and November 2010 were reviewed. The medical history, age, sex, duration of symptoms, clinical presentation, preoperative investigations, and histopathologic diagnosis were reviewed. RESULTS: The study included 66 subjects; 12 patients (18.2%) with submandibular sialolithiasis, 18 patients (27.2%) with sialadenitis, 10 patients with lymphadenitis (15.1%), and 26 patients (39.3%) with tumors. Of the tumors, 23% was malignant and 77% was benign. Benign tumors of submandibular gland comprised 22.7% and malign tumors of submandibular gland comprised 3% of all submandibular mass. The most common benign tumor was pleomorphic adenoma. The most frequent histopathologic diagnoses of submandibular masses originated from the submandibular gland, and these comprised 71.2% of all submandibular mass pathologies. The main symptom was a painless mass. Ultrasonography was the most common preoperative diagnostic procedure. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy was performed in 26 patients. A clear diagnosis could not be provided in 3 (12%) patients. CONCLUSION: Infectious conditions and benign tumors are more frequent than malign tumors in the submandibular region. The histopathologic diagnoses mainly consisted of submandibular sialadenitis, sialolithiasis, pleomorphic adenoma, and lymphadenitis. Ultrasonography is the first option of radiologic evaluation. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy is a very useful and usually sufficient diagnostic procedure for histopathologic diagnosis. Excisional biopsy can be performed when the fine-needle aspiration biopsy failed.

Prospective study of voice outcomes and patient tolerance of in-office percutaneous injection laryngoplasty.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In-office percutaneous injection laryngoplasty is a common treatment for glottal insufficiency. Our objective was to prospectively study voice outcomes and patient tolerance of the procedure. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Consecutive adult patients undergoing awake injection laryngoplasty were recruited. Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-30; Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V); and vocal Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain (GRBAS) were evaluated prior to injection and 2 months postinjection. Visual analog scale (VAS) was completed by the patient before and after the procedure to quantify the amount of discomfort. RESULTS: Thirty-five subjects enrolled; 26 (15 male, 11 female; mean age 61.6 ± 13.2 years) had complete data. All components of VHI improved significantly: functional (P=0.0006), emotional (P=0.0004), physical (P=0.009), and total (P=0.0006). CAPE-V also improved significantly (P=0.003). All components of GRBAS, except for roughness, improved significantly: grade (P=0.004), roughness (P=0.718), breathiness (P=0.023), asthenia (P=0.023), and strain (P=0.03). Patient expectations on the tolerance of the procedure was similar to what they reported immediately afterward (P=0.803). CONCLUSIONS: Injection laryngoplasty is an effective method of treating glottal insufficiency, as measured by voice outcomes. Patients have realistic expectations on the procedure experience and find it tolerable. This is the first prospective study of injection laryngoplasty outcomes.

Nasalance scores for normal-speaking Turkish population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to obtain normative nasalance scores for adult and children subjects speaking Turkish language and obtain a reference for normality when nasality is evaluated. METHODS: Mean nasalance scores were obtained from 35 normal-speaking children aged 7 to 13 years, and 125 adults aged 18 to 69 years during the repetition of 3 nasalance passages that were categorized according to the amount of nasal consonants (oral, oronasal, and nasal passages). The Nasometer (model 6400) was used to obtain nasalance scores for the 3 reading passages. RESULTS: Group mean ± SD nasalance scores of children for oral passage, oronasal passage, and nasal passage were 15.14 ± 4.81, 37.76 ± 4.42, and 49.23 ± 6.95, respectively. Nasalance scores for the adult group were 13.46 ± 6.26, 37.84 ± 6.13, and 50.28 ± 7.77, respectively. There were significant differences in mean nasalance scores for oral versus nasal materials both for children and adult groups. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides normative nasalance scores for Turkish-speaking children and adults. The results indicated acceptable differentiation between oral and nasal materials.

Relationship between nasal valve changes and nasalance of the voice.

OBJECTIVE: It is well known that the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses affect the acoustic characteristics of the voice as resonators. Any expansion in nasal valve area, the narrowest segment of the nasal cavity, affects the nasal resistance and therefore has the potential to alter the nasalance. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nasal valve changes on nasalance of the voice by using an external nasal dilator strip that widens the nasal valve area. STUDY DESIGN: Before-and-after study. SETTING: Tertiary university hospital. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Healthy volunteer subjects who had no nasal or voice-related complaints were enrolled in the study. All subjects underwent acoustic rhinometry and nasometry before and while wearing a commercially available external nasal dilator strip. The data with and without the nasal strip were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects were enrolled in the study. After the application of nasal strips, statistically significant increases were observed in the minimal cross-sectional area of the nasal valve. However, there were no significant changes in the nasalance measurements. CONCLUSION: Despite increasing the nasal valve area, application of the nasal strips did not cause any significant change in nasalance scores in healthy subjects, showing no relationship between the nasal valve and nasalance of the voice.

An unusual case of anterior and posterior laryngeal cleft together: combined cleft of larynx.

Congenital clefts of the larynx are rare and usually found dorsally. An anterior or ventral cleft of the larynx is extremely rare. Only a few patients with this defect have been reported in the literature. The purpose of this paper is to present a patient having an anterior and posterior laryngeal cleft together. A 20-year-old man presented with a history of dysphonia since childhood. He did not report symptoms of swallowing or respiration, and had no history of neck trauma. Findings of videolaryngoscopy showed a grossly abnormal larynx. The anterior commissure was wider than normal, and the vocal folds did not show a fusion anteriorly. There was an interarytenoid cleft posteriorly. A neck CT with 3D reconstruction demonstrated a ventral cleft or nonfusion of the thyroid cartilage with a posterior cricoid cleft. Barium swallow study was in normal limits. Since the patient did not have any problem with swallowing or respiration, no surgical intervention was planned, and the patient was put on speech therapy, which revealed improvement in voice. To our knowledge, this is the first case of a combined laryngeal cleft. The diagnosis is established by the clinical symptoms, endoscopic evaluation, and radiographic examinations including 3D and barium studies.

Choanal polyp originating from the nasal septum: septochoanal polyp.

Most of the nasal polyps arise from the lateral walls of the nasal cavity. Nasal polyps originating from the nasal septum with choanal extension are extremely rare. We report a case of large choanal polyp that arised from the posterosuperior aspect of the nasal septum, and extended down to the oropharynx. A 52-year-old woman presented with a two-year history of progressive nasal obstruction and snoring. Findings of anterior rhinoscopy were in normal limits. We think that the term "septochoanal polyp" which, as far as we know, has not been mentioned in the literature before, can be used for this rare lesion.