BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Functional diseases of vocal folds have shown various movements of the arytenoid cartilage, however, they have not been documented yet. We studied to find out the relationships between functional diseases of vocal folds and arytenoid movements. MATERIALS AND METHOD: 224 subjects were evaluated by using videostroboscopic examinations. The subjects were classified into three types; notch, ball, and flat types according to the patterns of arytenoid movement during phonation. Vocal fold lesions were investigated and arytenoid movements were compared between normal and disease groups. RESULTS: The arytenoid movements of notch type were more than ball type or flat type in both normal and disease groups. The disease group showed many asymmetric movements of arytenoid cartilage when compared with the normal group. Vocal nodule and vocal polyp showed asymmetric movements of arytenoid cartilage. Conclusions: We found that the functional diseases of vocal folds were related to the asymmetric movements of arytenoid cartilage. We suggest that the various movements of arytenoid cartilage should be considered when functional diseases of vocal folds are examined.
Arytenoid Cartilage* ; Phonation ; Polyps ; Vocal Cords*

In man the epiglottis is a thin lamella of yellow elastic cartilage. The upper part is free and is known asleaf and lower part participates in the formation of the anterior wall of the vestibule of the larynx. Theipithelial covering extends forwards onto the base of the tongue over the medial glossoepiglottic folds. The sidesof epiglottis are connected with the cartilages of Wrisberg and arytenoid cartilage by the aryepiglottic fold. Inview of these anatomical complexities, the function and physiology of the epiglottis have been debated sinceMagendi(1815), who proposed the theory that the epiglottis acts as a flap valve to prevent food entering thewindpipe, and who found that he could remove the free part of the epiglottis in dog without spoiling the dog.Follwoing the introduction of laryngoscopy(Garcia, 1815; Liston, 1840; Czermark, 1861) and modern cineradiographicequipments in 1950's, the anatomy and physiology of epiglottis has become much clearrer. Age as it is seen on thelateral x-ray of the neck. In the present study we have made an attempt to systematically analyze aging changes ofthe epiglottis in the lateral x-ray of the neck in 245 healthy adults. The age ranged from 16 to 65 years old.Based on our observation the epiglottis was classified into type A, B, and C according to their curvatures. Thus,type A represented those with posterior curvature, type B those with straight epiglottis and type C anteriorcurvature. Type C was sudivided into I, II and III according to the degree of curvature. Thus, type C-I, C-II andC-III represented mild, moderated and marked anterior curvature, respectively. Type A epiglottis was found in thesecond, third and fourth decades and type C-III in the older age group. Type A was least comon and type C mostprevalent. It seems that the epiglottis inclines anteriorly with backward curvature with age (p<0.0001).
Adult ; Aging ; Animals ; Arytenoid Cartilage ; Cartilage ; Dogs ; Elastic Cartilage ; Epiglottis ; Humans ; Larynx ; Neck ; Physiology ; Tongue

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Conservation laryngeal surgery is designed to remove the cancer mass completely while preserving the physiologic functions of the larynx. Recently, the supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) has broadened the spectrum of reliable techniques available to conservation laryngeal surgeons. Much research has been devoted to the surgical technique and oncological results of SCPL, but only a few signi6cant objective reports of the phonatory results are available presently. This study was designed to analyze the phonatory results achieved after SCPL for laryngeal cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected characteristics of the speech and voice were compared in 25 patients who had undergone SCPL and 10 normal adult laryngeal (NAL) speakers. Durational and frequency features were analyzed with the CSL and the MDVP. RESULTS: SCPL speech proved comparable to NAL speech at the average fundamental frequency. SCPL spech and voice were statistically less efficient than NAL speech in jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio, mean airflow rate, maximal phonation time, and subglottic pressure (p<0.01). The completion of an arytenoid cartilage resection and/or anterior cricoid cartilage removal did not statistically modify the durational and frequency features of SCPL speakers (p <0.01). CONCLUSION: The voice parameters of SCPL speakers were different from those of the NAL speakers, but patients were thought to be allowed social interaction.
Adult ; Arytenoid Cartilage ; Cricoid Cartilage ; Humans ; Interpersonal Relations ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Laryngectomy* ; Larynx ; Phonation ; Voice*

Hymenoptera stings can result in local and systematic symptoms due to their toxic and allergic contents. Although serious sequela are rare, the occurrence of an anaphylactic reaction is considered to be very dangerous and can potentially cause death. Oropharyngeal stings, though infrequent, can cause local edema and airway obstruction due to an anaphylactic reaction and requires immediate epinephrine, antihistamine, steroid treatment and close observation over several days. Careful observation of the oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal area using upper gastrointestinal endoscopy is highly recommended, especially for detection of possible edematous swelling in the arytenoid cartilage area. Here we report two cases of patients complaining pain due to edematous swelling in the arytenoid cartilage area caused by hymenoptera stings after accidentally drinking water with a bee in it.
Airway Obstruction ; Anaphylaxis ; Arytenoid Cartilage ; Bees ; Bites and Stings ; Drinking Water ; Edema ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Epinephrine ; Humans ; Hymenoptera

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the presence of one or two arytenoids on early/late period swallowing-aspiration functions. METHODS: Supracricoid partial laryngectomy (SCPL) with the diagnosis of laryngeal cancer between 2012 and 2014 were retrospectively evaluated. The patients were categorized into two groups as follows: group I, patients who underwent SCPL with one arytenoid cartilage and group II, patients who underwent SCPL with two arytenoid cartilages. The time of decannulation and oral feeding onset, and swallowing-aspiration functions were evaluated and compared in the early nutritional period, first, and third months. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between decannulation time and swallowing-aspiration. The aspiration rates in group I and group II were similar and there was no significant difference in oral feeding onset and aspiration grades in the first and third months between both groups. CONCLUSION: We found similar oncological and functional outcomes in SCPL which protected one or two arytenoid cartilages. Therefore we suggest to be performed one arytenoid cartilage SCPL in selected patients who was advance stage and tumor volume over with larynx cancer.
Arytenoid Cartilage* ; Deglutition* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; Laryngectomy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tumor Burden

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors for postoperative arytenoid dislocation.

METHODSFrom September 2003 to August 2013, the records of 16 patients with a history of postoperative arytenoid dislocation were reviewed. Patients matched in terms of date and type of procedures were chosen as the controls (n=16). Recorded data for all patients were demographics, smoking status, alcoholic status, preoperative physical status, airway evaluation, intubation procedures, preoperative laboratory test results, anesthetic consumption and intensive care unit stay. For arytenoid dislocation cases, we further analyzed the incidences of the left and right arytenoid dislocation, and the outcomes of surgical repair and conservative treatment. Categorical variables were presented as frequencies and percentages, and were compared using the chi-squared test. Continuous variables were expressed as means±SD and compared using the Student's unpaired t-test. To determine the predictors of arytenoid dislocation, a logistic regression model was used for multivariate analysis.

RESULTSSixteen patients with postoperative arytenoid dislocation were enrolled, with a median age of 52 years. Most postoperative arytenoid dislocation patients (15/16, 93.75%) received surgical repair, except one patient who recovered after conservative treatment. None of the postoperative arytenoid dislocation patients were smokers. Red blood cell (P=0.044) and hemoglobin (P=0.031) levels were significantly lower among arytenoid dislocation cases compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONSNon-smoking and anemic patients may be susceptible to postoperative arytenoid dislocation. However, neither of them was independent risk factor for postoperative arytenoid dislocation.

Arytenoid Cartilage ; pathology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; diagnosis ; Neoplasm Staging

Arytenoid Cartilage ; surgery ; Contraindications ; Glottis ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Laryngectomy

Severe airway obstruction occur in bilateral vocal cord paralysis. There exists a variety of treatment methods including external and endoscopic approaches, the endoscopic LASER techniques are more desirable. However, total LASER arytenoidectomy may improve the airway but worsen the voice quality. As an alternative approach, resection medial portion of the arytenoid cartilage may improve the airway with less impairment of voice quality. Our results show that medial arytenoidectomy may be a better treatment method for bilateral vocal cord palsy than the total LASER arytenoidectomy.
Airway Obstruction ; Arytenoid Cartilage ; Humans ; Vocal Cord Paralysis* ; Vocal Cords* ; Voice Quality

OBJECTIVES: To identify diagnostic value of laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) in differentiating vocal fold paralysis (VFP) from arytenoid dislocation. METHODS: The history, laryngeal morphologic characteristics and LEMG of 36 patients with VFP and 10 patients with arytenoid dislocation were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: The most common cause of 36 VFP patients was surgical damage (24 cases), and the most common cause of 10 arytenoid dislocation patients was history of endotracheal intubation (9 cases). There was no statistical difference between the vocal fold and the fixed position of the vocal fold between the group of VFP patients and arytenoid dislocation patients. In the patients with VFP, 33 VFP patients (91.67%) had decreased recruitment; 9 cases (9/13) of denervation potential and 8 cases (8/9) of regeneration potential occurred within 1-6 months of the course of disease; 3 cases (3/4) of synkinesis occurred in the course of disease more than 6 months. In the patients with VFP, the amplitude (<0.01) and turns (<0.05) of thyroarytenoid muscles significantly decreased in the lesioned side comparing to the normal one, but the turns/amplitude ratio showed no statistical difference. In the patients with superior laryngeal nerve injury, the turns and amplitude analysis of cricothyroid muscles showed no statistical difference. All of 10 patients with arytenoid dislocation showed normal LEMG patterns. CONCLUSIONS LEMG can be used to differentiate the patients with vocal cord paralysis from arthrodesis dislocation, and can also carry out quantitative analysis to provide valuable help for the diagnosis.
Arytenoid Cartilage ; Electromyography ; Humans ; Laryngeal Muscles ; physiopathology ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; diagnosis ; Vocal Cords