Differences in Glottal Closure and Visibility of the Anterior Commissure during Rigid-90°, Rigid-70°, and Flexible Laryngostroboscopy.

INTRODUCTION: The conventional rigid-90° and rigid-70° laryngostroboscopy has been so far considered the gold standard in assessing the vibratory behavior of the vocal folds and the glottal closure configuration during phonation. Meanwhile, this rigid laryngostroboscopy is more and more replaced by flexible chip-on-tip systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of these different endoscopic techniques on glottal closure configuration and on visibility of the complete focal fold length including anterior commissure during phonation. METHODS: Twenty-one euphonic subjects were enrolled (mean age 34.6 ± 9.5; m = 10, f = 11). They were examined with the three laryngoscopic techniques (conventional rigid-90°, rigid-70°, and flexible chip-on-tip laryngoscopy during low and high voice pitch with soft and loud voice intensity). For evaluating the degree of glottal closure, a modified classification of Södersten et al. was applied and the visibility of the anterior commissure was evaluated. The correlation of the three endoscopic techniques was assessed with Cohen and Fleiss' kappa. RESULTS: In even low loud phonation, the rigid-90° and rigid-70° endoscopies revealed a complete closure of the glottis in only 47.6% of subjects but with flexible endoscopy in 81%. The complete vocal fold length with anterior commissure was best visible with flexible endoscopy in 90.5% in low-soft and high-soft phonation. The rigid-90° endoscopy showed a slight agreement in comparison with the flexible endoscopy in regard to the types of vocal fold closure with a Cohen's kappa coefficient k = 0.199. The rigid-90° endoscopy showed an almost perfect agreement with k = 0.84 when compared to the rigid-70° endoscopy. The flexible endoscopy compared to the rigid-70° endoscopy showed a fair agreement with k = 0.346. CONCLUSION: We found mainly corresponding results in both rigid-90° and rigid-70° endoscopic techniques which can be explained by the same transoral approach with the tongue pulled out, whereas the flexible transnasal endoscopy mainly gives a better view on the anterior commissure. The influence of transorally or transnasally guided endoscopic techniques needs to be considered in interpretation of laryngostroboscopic parameters like vocal fold closure and supraglottal hyperactivity.

Selective Electrical Surface Stimulation to Support Functional Recovery in the Early Phase After Unilateral Acute Facial Nerve or Vocal Fold Paralysis.

This article addresses the potential clinical value of surface electrical stimulation in the acute phase of denervation after the onset of facial nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. These two nerve lesions are the most frequent head and neck nerve lesions. In this review, we will work out several similarities concerning the pathophysiology features and the clinical scenario between both nerve lesions, which allow to develop some general rules for surface electrical stimulation applicable for both nerve lesions. The focus is on electrical stimulation in the phase between denervation and reinnervation of the target muscles. The aim of electrostimulation in this phase of denervation is to bridge the time until reinnervation is complete and to maintain facial or laryngeal function. In this phase, electrostimulation has to stimulate directly the denervated muscles, i.e. muscle stimulation and not nerve stimulation. There is preliminary data that early electrostimulation might also improve the functional outcome. Because there are still caveats against the use of electrostimulation, the neurophysiology of denervated facial and laryngeal muscles in comparison to innervated muscles is explained in detail. This is necessary to understand why the negative results published in several studies that used stimulation parameters are not suitable for denervated muscle fibers. Juxtaposed are studies using parameters adapted for the stimulation of denervated facial or laryngeal muscles. These studies used standardized outcome measure and show that an effective and tolerable electrostimulation of facial and laryngeal muscles without side effects in the early phase after onset of the lesions is feasible, does not hinder nerve regeneration and might even be able to improve the functional outcome. This has now to be proven in larger controlled trials. In our view, surface electrical stimulation has an unexploited potential to enrich the early therapy concepts for patients with unilateral facial or vocal fold paralysis.

Applicability of Selective Electrical Surface Stimulation in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis.

OBJECTIVE: Selective electrical surface stimulation (SES) of the larynx is not yet routinely considered therapy option in treatment of unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Goal of this monocentric feasibility study was to provide systematic data on applicability of SES of intrinsic laryngeal muscles in UVFP under consideration of sensitivity and discomfort thresholds and nonselective side effects. METHODS: Thirty-two UVFP patients were included in the study. Symmetric triangular-shape, charge-balanced pulse widths (PWs) of 1, 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 milliseconds (ms) were tested with increasing amplitudes (AMPs). The stimulation was delivered as a train of five pulses using square surface electrodes. Selective laryngeal responses were examined by flexible laryngoscopy. Nonselective side effects (swallowing reflex, coughing, different severity degrees of unspecific strap muscle/platysma response) were judged by observation. RESULTS: Selective laryngeal response could be triggered in 28/32 (87.5%) patients during respiration/rest and in 26/32 (81.3%) patients during phonation. The most effective PWs for the selective eliciting of selective bilateral vocal fold adduction are comprised between 50 and 100 ms in combination with an average AMP comprised between 7.1 and 7.2 mA. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that, in UVFP patients, PWs comprised between 50 and 100 ms in combination with a median AMP between 7.1 and 7.2 mA are expected to deliver in >75% of the cases a specific, effective, and safe bilateral adduction of the VF. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E2566-E2572, 2021.

Comparison of voice therapy and selective electrical stimulation of the larynx in early unilateral vocal fold paralysis after thyroid surgery: A retrospective data analysis.

OBJECTIVES: The goal of the retrospective study was to investigate the 3-month-outcome after treatment of patients with early unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) with either standard voice therapy (VT) or selective electrical stimulation of the larynx (SES). DESIGN: Non-randomised retrospective study. SETTING: 1519 patients who underwent thyroid surgery between 2015 and 2018 were analysed according vocal fold mobility; UVFP patients were treated either by VT or SES. PARTICIPANTS: 51 UVFP patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 51 UVFP patients have been advised regarding treatment options like either VT (group 1) or SES (group 2). The patients of group 1 (n = 26) and 2 (n = 25) were re-assessed up to 3 months post-operatively regarding UVFP persistence/recovery and perceptive voice sound quality. At follow-ups, perceptual analysis of voice sound (using roughness=R/breathiness=B/hoarseness=H scale) and endoscopic laryngoscopy have been performed. Position of immobile vocal fold, shape of glottal closure and RBH parameters have been considered for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Restitution of UVFP with regular respiratory vocal fold mobility of both vocal folds occurred in 53.8% of group 1 (VT), and in 40.0% of group 2 (SES) after 3 months of therapy between both groups. No difference could be seen for RBH, type of glottal closure and position of ailing vocal folds in patients with persisting UVFP within both groups and between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals that SES can achieve similar functional outcome in early UVFP. Thus, it should be considered as an equivalent therapy alternative to VT for treatment of early UVFP patients since no significant difference in vocal outcome and glottal configuration between the two groups could be demonstrated.

Long-term vertigo control after cochlear implantation in patients with end-stage Menière's disease : A retrospective questionnaire-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Menière's disease (MD) is a symptom complex which is characterized by episodes of vertigo, tinnitus and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss, which worsens during the course of the disease. OBJECTIVE: Vertigo attacks (MD functional level scale) before compared to after cochlear implantation in patients with end-stage MD. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: In this questionnaire-based cross-sectional study eight patients with end-stage MD, who received a cochlear implant (CI) were analyzed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The effect of the CI on vertigo was measured preoperatively and postoperatively with the Menière's disease functional level scale and the Menière's disease outcome questionnaire. The primary outcome parameter influence of vertigo attacks on daily living was analyzed using the non-parametric Wilcoxon signed rank test before and after CI. SETTING: Department of otolaryngology of a medical university. RESULTS: The primary outcome measure influence of vertigo attacks on daily living as measured by the MD functional level scale improved significantly after CI. CONCLUSION: A CI can be an adequate treatment for vertigo attacks in patients with end-stage MD; however, due to the small sample size additional (multicenter) trials are necessary to confirm the findings.

Usefulness of thrombosis and inflammation biomarkers in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension-sampling plasma and surgical specimens.

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) results from persistent pulmonary vascular obstructions, presumably due to inflammatory thrombosis. Because estimates of thrombus volume at diagnosis have no predictive value, we investigated the role of the thrombosis marker, D-dimer, and the inflammation marker, C-reactive protein (CRP), for predicting outcomes in CTEPH. METHODS: A total 289 consecutive patients with CTEPH were followed for 57 (median 45 to 69) months. One hundred fifty-seven of these patients underwent surgical pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). D-dimer and CRP were collected at the time of CTEPH diagnosis and their impact on outcome was analyzed using Cox and logistic regression models. Their association with thrombus composition was analyzed utilizing HistoQuest. RESULTS: D-dimer and CRP levels were separately and independently predictive of death or need for lung transplantation (p = 0.012 and p = 0.025, respectively). For example, 5-year survival was 90% (confidence limits 84% to 96%) in patients with D-dimer levels <0.5 µg/ml and CRP <1 mg/dl at diagnosis, as compared with 50% (36% to 64%) for patients with D-dimer ≥0.5 µg/ml and CRP ≥1 mg/dl (p < 0.001). D-dimer and CRP both decreased significantly after PEA (p < 0.01). The amount of fresh red thrombus in thrombendarterectomy specimens correlated positively with D-dimer levels at diagnosis (r = 0.37, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: D-dimer and CRP at the time of diagnosis are independent and significant predictors of outcome in CTEPH, available at the time of diagnosis. This observation suggests an important role for fibrin turnover and inflammation in the pathogenesis of CTEPH and the associated complications.

Basal glucosuria is ubiquitous in critically ill patients.

The 'renal threshold for glucose' has never been evaluated in critically ill patients. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the renal glucose threshold in this patient group using high-sensitivity urine glucose assays. In this retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data, we analysed 100 consecutive critically ill patients from a medical intensive care unit (ICU). Arterial blood glucose and spot urine glucose were simultaneously quantified daily during the first week after ICU admission. Three hundred seventy-three pairs of blood/urine glucose were plotted in five pre-defined categories of blood glucose (<80, 80-109, 110-139, 140-179 and ≥180 mg/dL). Urine glucose values of the five categories were compared using the Kruskal-Wallis test to assess the relation with blood glucose. Urine glucose was detected in virtually all of the urine samples. Urine glucose showed a positive nonlinear correlation with blood glucose and was significantly elevated at blood glucose levels of 140-179 and ≥180 mg/dL compared with lower blood glucose ranges. Basal glucosuria is ubiquitous in critically ill patients. A 'soft' renal threshold for glucose is present at blood glucose levels in the range of 140-179 mg/dL.