Background
Laryngeal ultrasound is a new method of vocal cord evaluation in patients at risk
for vocal cord palsy. However, the previously described laryngeal ultrasound reportedly
has a high failure rate of vocal cord visualization in male patients. We compared
2 ultrasound frequencies in laryngeal ultrasound to improve on the limitations of
this method.
Method
A total of 301 (55 male, 246 female) consecutive laryngeal ultrasound and direct laryngoscopy
exams were performed for patients with thyroidectomy and other neck operations. High-frequency
transducer (12–5 MHz broad band spectrum) and low-frequency transducer (9–3 MHz broad
band spectrum) were used for all laryngeal ultrasound. Findings were independently
cross-validated with direct laryngoscopy.
Results
High-frequency and low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound had 88.4% and 97.7% visualization
rates, respectively. In addition, low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound showed improved
sensitivity of 97.6% and specificity of 96.5%, compared with a sensitivity of 92.9%
and specificity of 86.5% for high-frequency laryngeal ultrasound in vocal cord evaluation.
Conclusion
The low-frequency laryngeal ultrasound method significantly enhances the visualization
of vocal cords, especially in patients who have diffuse thyroid cartilage calcification
interrupting laryngeal ultrasound, and therefore enhances the overall efficacy of
laryngeal ultrasound as a perioperative diagnostic tool for vocal cord palsy. Hence,
we recommend using a low-frequency transducer (about 9–3 MHz) for laryngeal ultrasound
if it is available.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 18, 2016
Accepted:
October 12,
2016
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
