OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical application and to evaluate the value of multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) in closed thyroid cartilage injury.

METHODSMSCT scan was performed in 5 patients with closed thyroid cartilage injury, and 2D and 3D images reconstructions were achieved after volume data was transferred to workstation.

RESULTSIn 5 cases, the thyroid cartilage fracture was found in left board in 4 patients, in right board in 1 patient. In addition, one patient had concurrent cricoid cartilage fracture and another patient had laryngotracheal stenosis. These fractures and changes were all visualized by 2D and 3D images. Lower window level and window width were helpful to reveal the structures of thyroid cartilage. Multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) was superior in displaying alignment and displacement of fracture in 4 cases. 3D-volume reconstruction (3D-VR) was accurate in displaying space change of cartilage structures. In 3 cases, the evaluation of 3D-VR was accurate in assessing the length, width and shape of fracture, providing helpful data for the clinician to adopt the optimal management Computed tomography virtual laryngoscope (CTVL) helped to offer the criterions to the diagnosis of upper airway stricture and the location of laryngotracheal stenosis in one case.

CONCLUSIONSMSCT was useful in the diagnosis and management of closed thyroid cartilage injury and the laryngotracheal stenosis. It was believed that the reasonable use of the reprocessing technique plays an important role in the diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of the effect of closed thyroid cartilage injury.

Adult ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Male ; Thyroid Cartilage ; injuries ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Tracheal Stenosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Wounds and Injuries ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVE: To seek a exact method of age determination. METHODS: This sample consists of 73 male Chinese han individuals whose ages have been known. Eight positions were selected from their radiograms which have been divided into three or six grade and then set up a mathematical model to deduce age by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The standard deviation of male thyroid cartilage is 1.854 and the multiple correctation coefficient is 0.9971. CONCLUSION The observation proved that age determination by radiographic feature of thyroid cartiage may be suitable for male Chinese han population from 13 to 67 years old.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Aged ; Asian People ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reference Values ; Thyroid Cartilage/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVE: To seek a method of age determination. METHODS: This sample consists of 69 female Chinese han individuals whose ages been known. Five positions were selected from their radiograms which have been divided into three or six grade and then set up a mathematical model to deduce age by multiple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The standard deviation of female thyroid cartilage is 1.969 and the multiple correctation coefficient is 0.984. CONCLUSION The observation proved that age determination by radiographic feature of thyroid cartilage can be used for female Chinese han population from 18 to 60 years old.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Determination by Skeleton/methods* ; Asian People ; Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Middle Aged ; Thyroid Cartilage/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVETo determine the consistence of the parameters related to type I thyroplasty measured by laryngeal specimens and CT scan.

METHODSThe related parameters of 50 laryngeal specimens (unilateral) obtained following total laryngectomy were measured postoperative immediately, and compared with those measured by spiral CT scan with multiple plain reconstructive (MPR) technique preoperatively. Comparative results were analyzed to evaluate the statistical significance between these two methods.

RESULTSThere were no significant statistical differences among the 6 parameters between two methods (P > 0.05), and the results (x +/- s) measured by CT scan and laryngeal specimens showed that the length of the thyroid notch to the inferior thyroid border were (20.7 +/- 1.7) mm and (20.6 +/- 1.7) mm; the length of the vocal cord were (17.3 +/- 1.8) mm and (17.3 +/- 1.8) mm; the length of the oblique line were (28.6 +/- 3.2) mm and (29.1 +/- 2.7) mm; the length of the presumptive horizontal line were (26.2 +/- 2.0) mm and (26.2 +/- 2.0) mm; the endolaryngeal vertical length of the anterior of the vocal cord to the presumptive horizontal line were (4.5 +/- 0.6) mm and (4.5 +/- 0.7) mm; the endolaryngeal vertical length of the vocal process to the presumptive horizontal line were (10.8 +/- 1.1) mm and (10.9 +/- 1.1) mm, respectively. As a result, the endolaryngeal anterior and posterior width of the wedge inserted in the thyroid cartilage were 4 - 5 mm and 8 - 9 mm respectively.

CONCLUSIONSMPR technique of spiral CT scan is able to design the size of the window and the prosthesis of type I thyroplasty preoperatively, which was testified to be a precise and reliable method to measure the larynx.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Laryngectomy ; Larynx ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Thyroid Cartilage ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Vocal Cord Paralysis