Study of spatiotemporal liquid dynamics in a vibrating vocal fold by using a self-oscillating poroelastic model.

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the spatiotemporal interstitial fluid dynamics in a vibrating vocal fold. A self-oscillating poroelastic model is proposed to study the liquid dynamics in the vibrating vocal folds by treating the vocal fold tissue as a transversally isotropic, fluid-saturated, porous material. Rich spatiotemporal liquid dynamics have been found. Specifically, in the vertical direction, the liquid is transported from the inferior side to the superior side due to the propagation of the mucosal wave. In the longitudinal direction, the liquid accumulates at the anterior-posterior midpoint. However, the contact between the two vocal folds forces the accumulated liquid out laterally in a very short time span. These findings could be helpful for exploring etiology of some laryngeal pathologies, optimizing laryngeal disease treatment, and understanding hemodynamics in the vocal folds.

Effects of Balloon Dilation for Idiopathic Laryngotracheal Stenosis on Voice Production.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of balloon dilation for idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis on voice production. METHODS: Retrospective review of 10 female patients with idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis undergoing balloon dilation. Voice outcomes were evaluated by comparing pre- and posttreatment patient-reported, perceptual, aerodynamic, and acoustic parameters. Complete data sets were not available for all subjects; sample size for each parameter is reported with the corresponding result. RESULTS: Total Voice Handicap Index (VHI) decreased significantly (22.9 ± 13.5 to 6.8 ± 6.5; n = 8; p = .015), as did glottal function index (7.2 ± 4.9 to 1.5 ± 2.0; n = 6; p = .022). No changes were observed in the GRBAS (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) scale. Changes in aerodynamic parameters were not statistically significant. Percent jitter decreased (1.32 ± 1.37 to 0.60 ± 0.29; n = 7; P = .078), and fundamental frequency range was preserved (507 ± 325 to 612 ± 281; n = 7; P = .309). CONCLUSIONS: Our sample of patients with idiopathic laryngotracheal stenosis had a mild-moderate dysphonia that improved with balloon dilation. Importantly, adverse effects on voice that can occur with open procedures were not observed. Patient perception of dysphonia improved while fundamental frequency range was maintained and aerodynamic parameters remained within or moved toward the normal range. Larger prospective studies are warranted to further evaluate changes in voice production associated with balloon dilation.

Visual evaluation of the larynx and hypopharynx during esophagogastroduodenoscopy: a safety and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The larynx and hypopharynx are common sites for head and neck cancer, which shares many risk factors with upper digestive tract disease. Patient survival with malignancies depends on stage at the time of diagnosis. Endoscopic screening of the hypopharynx is neither routinely performed in clinical practice nor has it been evaluated in a formal study. METHODS: This is a prospective pilot study of patients undergoing routine EGD. Demographic data were collected from patients prior to the procedure. All patients in the study underwent an EGD and prior to performing the standard portion of the EGD procedure, the endoscopist evaluated the larynx and hypopharynx with both white light endoscopy (WLE) and narrow band imaging (NBI). Details of the procedure, including ability to see all anatomic structures, time spent, complications, and findings, were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 111 patients were included in the study. The exam of the laryngopharynx was completed in 87% of patients (97/111). Reasons for incomplete exam included intubated patients (2/14), inadequate sedation (9/14), and inability to see the entire hypopharynx (3/14). The mean time of the WLE was 20.2 s, while the NBI evaluation took 15.6 s for a mean and 35.8 s for the entire exam of the larynx and hypopharynx. Minor procedural complications occurred in 3/11 (2.7%) of the patients and included hypotension, tachycardia, and hypoxia. There were 6 patients who had hypopharyngeal abnormalities seen on both WLE and NBI (5.4%) and were subsequently referred to otolaryngology. Of the six referrals, one patient had a vocal cord biopsy showing leukoplakia, while the others were deemed normal anatomic variants. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of the hypopharynx can be accomplished by gastrointestinal endoscopists at the time of EGD in the vast majority of patients in a safe manner while adding only about 35 s to the overall exam time.

Arytenoid repositioning device.

OBJECTIVES: We report development of a device and technique to manage laryngeal paralysis through minimal-access arytenoid adduction (for unilateral paralysis) and arytenoid abduction (for bilateral paralysis). METHODS: A human cadaver study coupled with directed engineering was used to develop instrumentation designed to secure the muscular process of the arytenoid into favorable adducted or abducted positions. Digital video, photography, and 3-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) imaging of cadaveric larynges were done to evaluate the surgical technique. RESULTS: Testing of prototypes identified the ideal implant to be a 0.36-mm wire with a distal spring-wound coil placed through a trocar via a small drill hole in the anterior thyroid cartilage. An endoscopic view of transilluminated light through the pyriform sinus mucosa identified the tip location of the trocar adjacent to the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage. Placement of the device through the trocar permitted rotation to engage the muscular process and/or adjacent soft tissue with the distal coil. Implant fixation to the thyroid cartilage positioned the vocal cord into either adduction or abduction. Three-dimensional CT imaging coupled with review of the video documentation established the feasibility of this technique. CONCLUSIONS: We confirm the feasibility of minimal-access arytenoid adduction and abduction through development of a new technique and device.

Prospective evaluation of office-based injection laryngoplasty with hyaluronic acid gel.

OBJECTIVES: The role of Juvederm Ultra Plus hyaluronic acid gel for use in injection laryngoplasty has not been well examined. The aim of this study was to prospectively assess the safety and clinical effectiveness of office-based injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel in patients with glottic insufficiency. METHODS: Thirty patients met the criteria for study inclusion and were treated with unsedated office-based injection laryngoplasty of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel over a 20-month period. The preinjection acoustic and aerodynamic measures, Voice Handicap Index, Glottal Function Index, and Dysphonia Severity Index were compared with values recorded at 1 and 4 months after injection. RESULTS: Data for 27 patients were available for follow-up analysis at 1 month, and 12 patients' data were available at 4 months. Significant improvements, compared to preinjection levels (p < 0.02), were shown in all outcome measures at 1 and 4 months. One patient required intravenous steroid therapy for delayed glottic inflammation that resolved without permanent sequelae. CONCLUSIONS: The injection of Juvederm Ultra Plus gel is a relatively safe procedure that allows for short-term improvements in objective and subjective outcome measures of vocal function in patients with glottic insufficiency, provided the surgeon remains alert to the possibility of postprocedural injection site inflammation.

Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan May Reduce the Risk of Pneumonia retain-->in Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Pneumonia is a serious complication in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Traditional Chinese medicine Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan plays a role in promoting health and may reduce pneumonia rates in those with UVFP. The study aimed to evaluate Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan treatment's effectiveness in preventing pneumonia hospitalization in patients with UVFP. METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of two million participants from 2000 to 2018 from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. We identified patients with UVFP (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 478.32) and documented outpatient, inpatient, and treatment records from the first diagnosis until hospitalization due to pneumonia, death, or the end of the study. We calculated the incidence of pneumonia and compared the risk of pneumonia in patients receiving Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan treatment or conventional treatment and tracked the use of speech therapy. We used the Cox proportional regression model to estimate the hazard ratio with a 95% confidence interval. Our corrected covariants include age, gender, degree of urbanization, insured amount, and disease comorbidity. RESULT: The use of Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan was associated with a lower risk of hospitalization for pneumonia in UVFP patients, with an adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) of 0.40 (0.21-0.77). The combination of Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan and speech therapy could further reduce the risk of pneumonia hospitalization (aHR = 0.25 [0.02-0.82]). UVFP patients with comorbidities such as respiratory cancer 0.34 (0.12-0.98) or diabetes (aHR = 0.30 [0.09-0.96]) had higher rates of pneumonia hospitalization. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Xiang-Sheng-PoDi-Wan may play a role in UVFP patients to reduce the long-term risk of pneumonia.

Long-Term Follow-up of 64 Patients With Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: Treatment Pathways, Outcomes, and Impact of Serial Intralesional Steroid Injections.

OBJECTIVE: To describe treatment pathways and long-term outcomes in 64 patients with idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS), including the impact of serial intralesional steroid injection (SILSI) on degree of stenosis, need for subsequent operation, and patient-reported outcome measures. METHODS: Retrospective review of 64 female patients with iSGS undergoing varied management approaches, 57 of whom underwent SILSI as at least part of their care. Treatment pathways included SILSI only, endoscopic intervention followed by SILSI only, endoscopic interventions only, endoscopic intervention followed by SILSI followed by need for repeat endoscopic intervention, open surgery, and tracheotomy. Outcomes assessed included subjectively estimated percent airway stenosis, dyspnea index (DI), modified medical research council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), number of operative and office-based procedures performed, need for subsequent operative intervention, and inter-operative interval. RESULTS: Treatment pathways included SILSI alone (n = 6), endoscopic intervention(s) followed by SILSI only (n = 31), SILSI followed by additional endoscopic or office-based procedures (n = 16), open surgery (n = 3), and tracheostomy (n = 4). 57 of 64 patients underwent SILSI as at least part of their treatment. Inter-operative interval was increased after starting SILSI. Of patients undergoing SILSI, those with more procedures or shorter inter-operative interval prior to SILSI were more likely to return to the operating room. Estimated stenosis, DI, MMRC, and VHI-10 decreased with SILSI. Stenosis was not correlated with DI, MMRC, or VHI-10, though DI was correlated with both MMRC and VHI-10 score. CONCLUSION: Of 57 patients undergoing SILSI, 37 did not require further operative intervention. Improvements in inter-operative interval, dyspnea, and voice were observed across patients. Randomized trials to identify which patients may benefit most from SILSI are warranted.

Voice Outcomes Following Serial Office-Based Steroid Injections and Voice Therapy for Vocal Fold Scar.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies indicate that certain voice outcomes can improve following a single office-based steroid injection with voice therapy for vocal fold scar. We evaluated voice outcomes after a series of three timed office-based steroid injections with voice therapy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case series with chart review. SETTING: Academic medical center. METHODS: We evaluated pre-and postprocedural patient-reported, perceptual, acoustic, aerodynamic, and videostroboscopic parameters. We evaluated 23 patients who underwent three office-based dexamethasone injections into the superficial lamina propria one month apart. All patients pursued voice therapy. RESULTS: Voice Handicap Index (n = 19; P= .030) decreased after injection series. Total GRBAS score (grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, strain) decreased (n = 23; P = 0.001). Dysphonia severity index score improved (n = 20; P = 0.041). Phonation threshold pressure did not decrease significantly (n = 22; P = 0.536). Videostroboscopic parameters of vocal fold edge (P = 0.023), right mucosal wave (P = 0.023) improved or normalized after injection series. Glottic closure (P = 0.134) did not improve. CONCLUSIONS: Series of three office-based steroid injections combined with voice therapy for vocal fold scar does not appear to provide further benefit than one injection. Despite lack of improvements of PTP and other parameters, injection series is likewise unlikely to worsen dysphonia. A partially negative study provides value in investigation of less invasive treatment alternatives for a disorder that is challenging to treat. Future studies exploring effects of voice therapy alone without other intervention and consideration of sham injection versus steroid injection are warranted.

Comparative Treatment Outcomes for Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: 5-Year Update.

The North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC) previously published a 3-year multi-institutional prospective cohort study showing variation in treatment effectiveness between 3 primary surgical techniques for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). In this report, we update these findings to include 5 years of data evaluating treatment effectiveness. Patients in the NoAAC cohort were re-enrolled for 2 additional years and followed using the prespecified published protocol. Consistent with prior data, prospective observation of 487 iSGS patients for 5 years showed treatment effectiveness differed by modality. Cricotracheal resection maintained the lowest rate of recurrent operation (5%), followed by endoscopic resection with adjuvant medical therapy (30%) and endoscopic dilation (50%). These data support the initial observations and continue to provide value to providers and patients navigating longitudinal decision-making. Level of evidence: 2-prospective cohort study.

Characterization of lamina propria and vocal muscle in human vocal fold tissue by ultrasound Nakagami imaging.

PURPOSE: A number of ultrasound techniques have been applied to identify the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. These conventional ultrasound methods, however, are not capable of visually mapping the concentration of collagen and elastic fibers in the vocal folds in the form of a parametric image. This study proposes to use a statistical parameter, the Nakagami factor estimated from the statistical distribution of the ultrasonic signals backscattered from tissues, as a means for parametric imaging of the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds. METHODS: The ultrasonic backscattered signals were acquired from four larynges (eight vocal folds) obtained from individuals without vocal fold pathology for constructing the Nakagami images. The textures of the Nakagami image in the lamina propria (LP) and the vocal muscle (VM) were observed and compared. The average and standard deviation of the Nakagami parameter for the LP and the VM were also calculated. RESULTS: The results showed that the Nakagami parameter of the LP is larger than that of the VM. Moreover, the LP and the VM have different shading features in the Nakagami images. It was found that the Nakagami parameter may depend on the concentration of collagen and elastic fibers, demonstrating that the Nakagami imaging may allow visual differentiation between the LP and the VM in the vocal folds. CONCLUSIONS: Current preliminary results suggested that the high-frequency Nakagami imaging may allow real-time visual characterization of the vocal fold tissues in clinical routine examinations.

Role of Voice Therapy in Adherence to Voice Rest After Office-Based Vocal Fold Procedures.

Purpose Patients undergoing vocal fold procedures significantly reduce but often do not cease voice use during absolute postprocedure voice rest. We hypothesized that patients who completed preprocedure voice therapy would increase adherence to postprocedure voice rest. Method Eighty-six participants completed this prospective cohort study. Patients scheduled for office-based vocal fold procedures, 1-3 days of absolute postprocedure voice rest, and preprocedure speech-language pathology (SLP) care were recruited. SLP care consisted of either (a) multiple voice therapy sessions, (b) one counseling/therapy session, or (c) voice evaluation only. Participants reported talking and other specific voice behaviors on 100-mm visual analog scales for up to 3 days pre- and postprocedure as well as changes in overall voice use at follow-up at least 1 week postprocedure. Results Talking decreased postprocedure by 63% in the therapy group and 65% in the counseling group, both significantly more than the 35% decrease measured in the evaluation group. There were group differences in talking at baseline but not during voice rest. Coughing and throat clearing were highest in the voice evaluation group and decreased less than talking during voice rest. At follow-up, 84% of participants reported that they completed voice rest for at least as long as recommended and 39.5% reported that they never used their voices during voice rest. Participants estimated a 98% overall reduction in voice use during voice rest at follow-up. Conclusions Voice use before and after vocal fold procedures varies by participation in preprocedure voice therapy. Patients significantly decrease talking during postprocedure voice rest but are not perfectly adherent. Communicative voice use decreases more than noncommunicative voice use during voice rest. Patients may overestimate adherence to voice rest at follow-up. Supplemental Material https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.16589864.

Pre-tracheotomy for Potentially Emergent Airway Scenarios: Indications and Outcomes.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Airway access in the setting of unsuccessful ventilation and intubation typically involves emergent cricothyrotomy or tracheotomy, procedures with associated significant risk. The potential for such emergent scenarios can often be predicted based on patient and disease factors. Planned tracheotomy can be performed in these cases but is not without its own risks. We previously described a technique of pre-tracheotomy or exposing the tracheal framework without entering the trachea, as an alternative to planned tracheostomy in such cases. In this way, a tracheotomy can be easily completed if needed, or the wound can be closed if it is not needed. This procedure has since been used in an array of indications. We describe the clinical situations where pre-tracheotomy was performed as well as subsequent patient outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective series of patients undergoing a pre-tracheotomy from 2015 to 2020. Records were reviewed for patient characteristics, indication, whether the procedure was converted to tracheotomy or closed at the bedside, and any post-procedural complications. RESULTS: Pre-tracheotomy was performed in 18 patients. Indications included failed extubation after head and neck reconstruction, subglottic stenosis, laryngeal masses, laryngeal edema, thyroid masses, and an oropharyngeal bleed requiring operative intervention. Tracheotomy was avoided in 10 patients with wound closed at the bedside; procedure was converted to tracheotomy in the remaining eight. There were no complications. Indications for conversion included failed extubation, intraoperative hemorrhage, significant stridor with dyspnea, and inability to ventilate. CONCLUSION: Pre-tracheotomy offers simplified airway access and provides a valuable option in scenarios where tracheotomy may, but not necessarily, be needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E2802-E2809, 2021.

Pain Experience and Tolerance of Awake In-Office Upper Airway Procedures: Influencing Factors.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Awake, unsedated in-office upper airway procedures are performed frequently and have high completion rates, yet less is known about the patients' pain experience and potentially influencing factors. It is also unclear if patients' pain experiences become worse with repeated procedures. We identified procedure- and patient-related factors that might influence procedural completion and pain scores. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: Pre-, intra-, and post-procedure pain scores were collected prospectively for awake unsedated upper airway procedures performed at a single institution over a 5-year period. Patient factors reviewed were demographics, body mass index, psychiatric and/or pain diagnosis, and related medications. Procedure factors reviewed were procedure type, route, side, and performance of the same procedure multiple times. Patients reported their pain level before, during, and after the procedure using a standard 0 to 10 scale. Maximum pain score change (PΔmax), or the difference between highest and lowest reported pain levels, was calculated. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were performed. RESULTS: Procedure completion was 98.7% for 609 first time patients and 99.0% in 60 patients undergoing 292 repeat procedures. PΔmax did not covary with age, gender, or BMI. PΔmax covaried with pain and psychiatric conditions and associated medications. PΔmax was highest for injection medialization and lowest for tracheoscopy. PΔmax decreased over time for those undergoing multiple identical procedures. CONCLUSIONS: Procedures were performed with a very high completion rate and low pain scores. Age, sex, and BMI did not affect pain experience. A combination of pain and psychiatric conditions did. Injection medialization had the highest PΔmax and tracheoscopy the lowest. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1580-E1588, 2021.

Proteomic and Genomic Methylation Signatures of Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes dyspnea and affects middle-aged women of White race and non-Latino or Hispanic ethnicity. To better characterize its phenotype and pathogenesis, we assessed the proteomic and genomic methylation signatures of subglottic tissue collected from iSGS patients compared to controls. STUDY DESIGN: Molecular analysis of clinical biospecimens. METHODS: We collected subglottic tissue biopsies from 12 patients during direct laryngoscopy, immediately prior to surgical treatment of iSGS; as well as from 4 age-, sex-, and race/ethnicity-matched control patients undergoing other direct laryngoscopic procedures. We isolated protein and genomic DNA, acquired proteomic data using label-free quantitative mass spectrometry techniques, and acquired genome-wide methylation data using bisulfite conversion and a microarray platform. We compared molecular profiles across the iSGS and control groups, and with respect to clinical course in the iSGS group. Eight of the 12 iSGS patients underwent subsequent blood collection and plasma isolation for further assessment. RESULTS: Proteomic analysis revealed 42 differentially abundant proteins in the iSGS biopsies compared to controls, inferring enrichment of biological pathways associated with early wound healing, innate immunity, matrix remodeling, and metabolism. Proteome-based hierarchical clustering organized patients into two iSGS and one control subgroups. Methylation analysis revealed five hypermethylated genes in the iSGS biopsies compared to controls, including the biotin recycling enzyme biotinidase (BTD). Follow-up analysis showed elevated plasma BTD activity in iSGS patients compared to both controls and published normative data. CONCLUSION: iSGS exhibits distinct proteomic and genomic methylation signatures. These signatures expand current understanding of the iSGS phenotype, support the possibility of disease subgroups, and should inform the direction of future experimental studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Not applicable Laryngoscope, 131:E540-E546, 2021.

Association of Social Determinants of Health with Time to Diagnosis and Treatment Outcomes in Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine whether social determinants of health (SDH) factors are associated with time to diagnosis, treatment selection, and time to recurrent surgical intervention in idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients. METHODS: Adult patients with diagnosed iSGS were recruited prospectively (2015-2017) via clinical providers as part of the North American Airway Collaborative (NoAAC) and via an online iSGS support community on Facebook. Patient-specific SDH factors included highest educational attainment (self-reported), median household income (matched from home zip code via U.S. Census data), and number of close friends (self-reported) as a measure of social support. Main outcomes of interest were time to disease diagnosis (years from symptom onset), treatment selection (endoscopic dilation [ED] vs cricotracheal resection [CTR] vs endoscopic resection with adjuvant medical therapy [ERMT]), and time to recurrent surgical intervention (number of days from initial surgical procedure) as a surrogate for disease recurrence. RESULTS: The total 810 participants were 98.5% female, 97.2% Caucasian, and had a median age of 50 years (IQR, 43-58). The cohort had a median household income of $62 307 (IQR, $50 345-$79 773), a median of 7 close friends (IQR, 4-10), and 64.7% of patients completed college or graduate school. Education, income, and number of friends were not associated with time to diagnosis via multivariable linear regression modeling. Univariable multinominal logistic regression demonstrated an association between education and income for selecting ED versus ERMT, but no associations were noted for CTR. No associations were noted for time to recurrent surgical procedure via Kaplan Meier modeling and Cox proportional hazards regression. CONCLUSIONS: Patient education, income, and social support were not associated with time to diagnosis or time to disease recurrence. This suggests additional patient, procedure, or disease-specific factors contribute to the observed variations in iSGS surgical outcomes.

Microlaryngeal Teaching Courses: A National Survey on Prevalence, Value, and Barriers to Implementation.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of microlaryngeal teaching course in Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME)-accredited otolaryngology residency programs in an effort to evaluate the nature, perceived value and barriers to implementation of microlaryngeal courses. METHOD: A 14-question survey to all ACGME-accredited otolaryngology programs in the United States. RESULT: Out of 119 ACGME-accredited otolaryngology programs identified on the ACGME Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database, responses were received from 67 programs (56%). Although 90% of respondents indicated that instruction courses in one discipline or another existed at their institution for their otolaryngology residents, only 33% indicated that their program offers a hands-on instruction course in microlaryngeal surgery. Of those programs that offered a microlaryngeal surgery course, 100% felt the residents appreciated the course; 95% of those programs that did not have a course felt their residents would appreciate a microlaryngeal course at their institution if they were able to offer one. Among programs without a microlaryngeal teaching course, the largest perceived barriers were cost and availability of appropriate equipment. CONCLUSION: Microlaryngeal courses for otolaryngology residency training are limited in availability in the United States, and there is variability in training across the country. All respondents in our survey indicated the value in these courses for microlaryngeal surgical skill training. There is a clear role for increasing availability of low-cost microlaryngeal stations and courses.

Office-Based Steroid Injections for Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: Patient-Reported Outcomes, Effect on Stenosis, and Side Effects.

OBJECTIVE: Office-based steroid injection has shown promise for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS). It is important to understand safety and patient-lived experience. We report patient experience related to airway restriction, voice, and side effects. METHODS: Sixteen patients (51 ± 14 years) with mild-moderate (20-50%) stenosis undergoing office-based transnasal steroid injections were included; fourteen had prior operations. Patients typically underwent three injections, 1 month apart, followed by transnasal tracheoscopy 1 month later to evaluate outcome; number of injections can vary based on disease severity and response. Outcomes were Dyspnea Index (DI), Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scale, voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), and degree of stenosis (estimated from procedural video). At each visit, patients were queried about post-injection airway restriction and side effects. Paired t-tests compared values at baseline versus follow-up tracheoscopy. RESULTS: DI decreased (t = 3.938, P = 0.0013), as did MMRC (t = 2.179, P = 0.0457). There was no change in VHI-10 (t = 1.354; P = 0.1957) scores. Airway stenosis decreased (t = 4.331; P = 0.0006); this was not correlated with change in DI (r = 0.267, P = 0.318). Side effects included airway restriction lasting <48 hours (n = 5), cough (n = 3), and nasal pain (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Steroid injections improved upper airway symptoms. Side effects were mild and transient. Improvement in DI did not correlate with percent stenosis.

Comparative Treatment Outcomes for Patients With Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis.

Importance: Surgical treatment comparisons in rare diseases are difficult secondary to the geographic distribution of patients. Fortunately, emerging technologies offer promise to reduce these barriers for research. Objective: To prospectively compare the outcomes of the 3 most common surgical approaches for idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS), a rare airway disease. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this international, prospective, 3-year multicenter cohort study, 810 patients with untreated, newly diagnosed, or previously treated iSGS were enrolled after undergoing a surgical procedure (endoscopic dilation [ED], endoscopic resection with adjuvant medical therapy [ERMT], or cricotracheal resection [CTR]). Patients were recruited from clinician practices in the North American Airway Collaborative and an online iSGS community on Facebook. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end point was days from initial surgical procedure to recurrent surgical procedure. Secondary end points included quality of life using the Clinical COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) Questionnaire (CCQ), Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Eating Assessment Test-10 (EAT-10), the 12-Item Short-Form Version 2 (SF-12v2), and postoperative complications. Results: Of 810 patients in this cohort, 798 (98.5%) were female and 787 (97.2%) were white, with a median age of 50 years (interquartile range, 43-58 years). Index surgical procedures were ED (n = 603; 74.4%), ERMT (n = 121; 14.9%), and CTR (n = 86; 10.6%). Overall, 185 patients (22.8%) had a recurrent surgical procedure during the 3-year study, but recurrence differed by modality (CTR, 1 patient [1.2%]; ERMT, 15 [12.4%]; and ED, 169 [28.0%]). Weighted, propensity score-matched, Cox proportional hazards regression models showed ED was inferior to ERMT (hazard ratio [HR], 3.16; 95% CI, 1.8-5.5). Among successfully treated patients without recurrence, those treated with CTR had the best CCQ (0.75 points) and SF-12v2 (54 points) scores and worst VHI-10 score (13 points) 360 days after enrollment as well as the greatest perioperative risk. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of 810 patients with iSGS, endoscopic dilation, the most popular surgical approach for iSGS, was associated with a higher recurrence rate compared with other procedures. Cricotracheal resection offered the most durable results but showed the greatest perioperative risk and the worst long-term voice outcomes. Endoscopic resection with medical therapy was associated with better disease control compared with ED and had minimal association with vocal function. These results may be used to inform individual patient treatment decision-making.

Recommendations of the Neurolaryngology Study Group on laryngeal electromyography.

The Neurolaryngology Study Group convened a multidisciplinary panel of experts in neuromuscular physiology, electromyography, physical medicine and rehabilitation, neurology, and laryngology to meet with interested members from the American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, the Neurolaryngology Subcommittee and the Neurolaryngology Study Group to address the use of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) for electrodiagnosis of laryngeal disorders. The panel addressed the use of LEMG for: 1) diagnosis of vocal fold paresis, 2) best practice application of equipment and techniques for LEMG, 3) estimation of time of injury and prediction of recovery of neural injuries, 4) diagnosis of neuromuscular diseases of the laryngeal muscles, and, 5) differentiation between central nervous system and behaviorally based laryngeal disorders. The panel also addressed establishing standardized techniques and methods for future assessment of LEMG sensitivity, specificity and reliability for identification, assessment and prognosis of neurolaryngeal disorders. Previously an evidence-based review of the clinical utility of LEMG published in 2004 only found evidence supported that LEMG was possibly useful for guiding injections of botulinum toxin into the laryngeal muscles. An updated traditional/narrative literature review and expert opinions were used to direct discussion and format conclusions. In current clinical practice, LEMG is a qualitative and not a quantitative examination. Specific recommendations were made to standardize electrode types, muscles to be sampled, sampling techniques, and reporting requirements. Prospective studies are needed to determine the clinical utility of LEMG. Use of the standardized methods and reporting will support future studies correlating electro-diagnostic findings with voice and upper airway function.

Sulcus Vocalis.

Sulcus vocalis, defined as a type of groove along the free edge of the vocal fold, disrupts the normal, pliable vocal fold cover, causing alterations in the intrinsic mucosal wave. The primary symptom is breathy, effortful dysphonia. Diagnosis may be challenging, and this classically has led to difficulties with identification and management. Treatment options, although often promising, have been notoriously unreliable. Current understanding, considerations for management, and future treatment options are explored.