• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.37-40
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• 2018

Background and Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate patients' subjective and objective outcomes after laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal fold (VF) lesions, and to identify usefulness of surgical treatment. Materials and Methods : The authors reviewed the 102 patients medical records, retrospectively who received laryngeal microsurgery for benign VF lesions from January 2013 to August 2017. Subjective voice were measured using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Objective voice were recorded with Multi-Dimensional Voice Program (MDVP) just before surgery, and after at least 3 months of surgery. Results : Benign VF lesions were categorized as VF nodule (n=34, 33%), VF Polyp (n=47, 26%), Intracordal cyst (n=15, 15%), Reinke's edema (n=6, 6%), and VF Papilloma (n=2, 2%). Post-operative voice assessment at VHI scores showed statistically significant reductions in all of functional, physical and emotional parts (p<0.001). MDVP were showed significant improvement of Jitter (P=0.001), Shimmer (p<0.001) and Noise to Harmonic Ratio (NHR) (p=0.001). Conclusion : Laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal fold lesions is effective treatment with statistically significant improvement at subjective and objective vocal quality assessment.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.96-99
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• 2017

Background and Objectives : The management of Reinke's edema includes usually medical treatment and voice therapy. Laryngomicrosurgery (LMS) is also necessary, especially to improve airway obstruction. However, voice outcome after LMS has not been determined well. The aim of this study was to evaluate effectiveness of LMS for Reinke's edema and analyze the voice outcomes after LMS. Materials and Methods : Twenty-five patients with Reinke's edema who underwent LMS from September 2007 to December 2016 were enrolled in this study. We analyzed reflux finding score (RFS), reflux symptom index (RSI), and acoustic parameters before and after surgery. Results : Male was 15 (60%) and female was 10 (40%), and mean age was 49.6 years. Preoperative mean value of RFS decreased significantly up to 3 months after LMS ($18.3{\pm}2.2$ and $10.0{\pm}2.2$ at preoperative and 3 months postoperatively, respectively). The mean value of Jitter decreased significantly before and after surgery ($2.71{\pm}2.81%$ and $1.06{\pm}1.21%$ before and after LMS, p=0.041). The mean value of Shimmer also decreased significantly before and after surgery ($7.97{\pm}3.63%$ and $4.83{\pm}1.85%$, respectively, p=0.006). Conclusion : LMS is effective in the treatment of Reinke's edema. It results in favorable acoustic outcomes and laryngoscopic findings in properly selected patients.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1977.06a
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• pp.7.1-7
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• 1977

According to Bryce and Cranston, prolapse of the laryngeal ventricle is a protrusion of the ventricular mucosa into the laryngeal cavity from inflammatory hyperplasia or edema. This 53 year old female patient was admitted to our hospital March 11, 1977 with the chief complaints of dyspnea and hoarseness. On admission, evaluation of the larynx revealed smooth surfaced round pink-reddish mass protruding bilaterally beneath the false cord. The airway was almost completely obstructed by the tumor mass, but neither ulceration nor infiltration was seen, also no lymphnode was palpable in the neck. Tracheotomy was performed for the relief of dyspnea and biopsy was done endoscopically. Histologic study showed chronic inflammation. On April 2, 1977 laryngofissure was performed under general anesthesia. Laryngeal examination revealed smooth surfaced, plate like, pinkreddish mass protruding bilaterally from both laryngeal ventricles into the laryngeal cavity and extending the whole length of the ventricle antero-posteriorly and touching each other. Biopsy was taken of the mass and the result was non-specific inflammatory hyperplasia of the larynx. Postoperatively, the air way is completely clear of obstruction but mild hoarseness still remains. No recurrent mass is visible in the larynx. In view of the symptoms, operative findings and histological findings, this case is diagnosed as "Prolapse of the laryngeal ventricle". The prolapse of the laryngeal ventricle is a very rare lesion and is reported with review of the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.97-100
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• 2015

Benign vocal fold lesions, such as vocal nodules, polyps and Reinke's edema, usually result from chronic voice overuse. Conservative management such as voice therapy and pharmacotherapy are used as the primary treatment techniques. The main purpose of voice therapy is to identify and reduce voice misuse to achieve the optimal voice. But complete resolution may not be possible in all patients after voice therapy. Furthermore, some patients with voice-related occupations, voice rest and voice therapy are sometimes difficult, which makes it hard to carry out the treatment. When conservative therapy is ineffective, laryngeal microsurgery can be performed under general anesthesia. However, potential complications following laryngeal suspension and violation of the layered structure of the vocal fold during surgery should be considered before surgery. In recent decades, emerging literatures have demonstrated the potential usefulness of vocal fold steroid injection as an alternative treatment option for benign vocal fold lesions. The most advantageous feature of vocal fold steroid injection is the maintenance of regional anti-inflammatory effects while preventing the potential systemic adverse effects of the steroid. Many non-surgical treatment methods can be conducted using different approaches in the office setting. It can be applied as an alternative treatment modality for the management of various benign vocal fold lesions.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.79-83
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• 1997

The term laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) refers to the backflow of food or stomach acid back up into the larynx (the voice box) or the pharynx (the throat). Esophagopharyngeal reflux is suggested as an etiologic factor in laryngeal disease. To examine a possible esophageal basis for laryngopharyngeal symptoms, we studied 48 patients with persistent laryngopharyngeal symptoms, and 12 relative control subjects. Patients were evaluated for cervical symptoms by questionnaire and underwent gastrofiberoscopy, fiberoptic laryngoscopy, esophageal manometry and 24-hour ambulatory double-probe pH monitoring. We found LPR in fourteen out of 48 patients with cervical symptoms (29%). The LPR group consisted of nine men and five women. The symptoms that LPR patients complained were throat lump sensation, hoareness, sore throat, throat clearing, chronic coughing and dysphagia in order of frequency, and they were not different significantly from non-LPR patients. The laryngoscopic findings in LPR patients were posterior erythema, laryngeal edema and diffuse erythema, and there was also no significant difference between LPR group and non-LPR group. There was statistically significant correlation between LPR and gastroesophageal reflux (GER). We concluded that there is no pathognomonic symptoms or laryngoscopic findings in diagnosis of LPR, and 24-hour ambulatory double-probe pH monitoring is an essential diagnostic tool in LPR.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.161-166
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• 2000

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold hemorrhage occur by blood accumulation in Reinke's space by vocal trauma. It is mostly asymptomatic, but in some cases it may cause severe dysphonia. It is often seen in patients who use their voice professionally. However, recent changes of life style affected the phonation in general population. We studied to know what are the causes and what are the major factors to affect the vocal fold hemorrhages. Materials and Methods : 19 subjects were evaluated by using of questionaire and laryngoscopic examinations. We evaluated the factors to lead the change in voice directly, underlying causes, occupations and laryngeal findings. Results : The direct causes of the vocal fold hemorrhages were clearing throat, talking, coughing and singing. Reflux laryngitis and upper respiratory infection were the underlying diseases. Vocal fold hemorrhages were developed during the menstruation in 5 patients. Accompanying functional voice disorders were seen in 13 patients, such as, vocal fold nodule, nodule with varix, vocal polyp, Reinke's edema. Patients with reflux laryngitis had the habits of clearing throat as the direct cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages and had hyperkinetic functional voice disorders. Voice abuse was the direct cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages in patients who was in the period of the menstruation. The most common site of the hemorrhage was at the membranous portion of the vocal folds. Conclusions : Authors thought the forceful laryngeal activity was the cause of the vocal fold hemorrhages. And reflux laryngitis and menstruation was the risk factors of the vocal fold hemorrhages.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1982.05a
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• pp.7.3-7
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• 1982

Endotracheal intubation is common practice for either general anesthesia or keeping artificial airway in various conditions. Despite of its great usefulness, however, laryngeal edema, ulceration, and granuloma are occasionally developed following endotracheal intubation as posttraumatic complications. Vocal cord paralysis is also rarely developed. Recently we experienced a case of left vocal cord paralysis with accompanying hoarseness following endotracheal general anesthesia for appendectomy. The symptoms of hoarseness and sore throat developed immediately after the general anesthesia. Periodic check revealed gradual return to normal function of the paralyzed cord with the complete function about 3 months after the anesthesia.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.32-38
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• 1996

The preservation of the voice-producing mechanism is an important feature in the management of laryngeal cancer by radiotherapy. But, radiation therapy has certain side effects such as mucositis, tissue edema, necrosis and fibrosis which could effect on normal voice production. Several subjective studies that used questionnaires and auditory perceptual judgements of voice have been interpreted to mean that radiation results in a normal or near-normal voice. Objective evidence of the status of vocal function after radiation treatment, however, is still lacking. We analyzed the changes that occur in voice parameters in a group of patients undergoing radiation therapy, in order to determine the effect of radiation on voice quality. In this study acoustic, aerodynamic measures of vocal function were used to determine the characteristics of voice production. We found that voice parameters in early glottic cancer changed meaningfully comparing to normal larynx with or without radiation and radiation therapy has an little effect on normal larynx.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.20-24
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• 2017

Laryngomalacia is the most common congenital anomaly that causes inspiratory stridor and airway obstruction in the newborn. Symptoms begin to appear after weeks of age, become worse at 4-8 months, improve between 8-12 months, and usually heal naturally at 12-18 months. Despite these common natural processes, the symptoms of the disease can be very diverse and, in severe cases, require surgical treatment. The diagnosis can be made by suspicion of clinical symptoms and direct observation of the larynx with the spontaneous breathing of the child. Typical laryngeal features include omega-shaped epiglottis, retroflexed epiglottis, short aryepiglottic fold, poor visualization of the vocal folds, and edema of the posterior glottis, including inspiratory supra-arytenoid tissue prolapse. In this review, we discuss the classification and treatment based on symptoms and laryngoscopic findings in patients with laryngomalacia.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.75-80
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• 2002

Radiation therapy is an effective treatment modality for malignant disease of the head and neck, but it is not without risk and complication. Response of the larynx to radiotherapy varies from mild erythema to severe inflammation with edema and induration. possibly leading to necrosis of cartilage. These changes are due to an inflammatory reaction characterized by infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, vascular thrombosis, and obliteration of lymphatic channels. Late changes consist of telangiectasia of the skin, alopecia, loss of subcutaneous fat, degenerative changes in the connective tissues. But, radiation necrosis of laryngeal cartilage is an uncommon complication and it is a devastating process for which further necessitates surgical treatment. It is generally agreed that the only treatment for patient not responding to conservative measures is a total laryngectomy. We experienced 4 cases of delayed radionecrosis of the larynx who underwent radiation therapy for glottic cancer and hypopharyngeal cancer. We report these cases with review of literature.