• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.232-234
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• 1997

After the first report of mitral stenosis as a cause of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy by Ortner in 1897, many authors have described that some kinds of cardiovascular disease might contribute to the development of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. The estimated rate of aortic aneurysm related with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy is about 5%. Aortic aneurysm is classified into 3 types according to the involving segment of aorta in which aneurysms develop, and the first class-aneurysm in ascending aorta and aortic arch-is known to be the only type related to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy. Recently we experienced two cases of recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy each of which had aneurysm on aortic arch as a major contributing factor. We report these cases with brief review of the literature.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.391-394
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• 2017

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury can develop following cervical or thoracic surgery; however, few reports have described intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring. Consensus regarding the use of this technique during thoracic surgery is lacking. We used intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring in a patient with contralateral vocal cord paralysis who was scheduled for completion pneumonectomy. This case serves as an example of intraoperative recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thoracic surgery and supports this indication for its use.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.69-74
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• 1995

The anatomic course of recurrent laryngeal nerve, its branch and its function were most significant for laryngeal, thyroid and tracheoesophageal surgery. Furthermore, the vocal cord palsy resulting from multi-etiology was serious complication and resulted in affecting the life quality. So, for the prevention of this complication, the concepts and knowledge about anatomic course and variants are very important. At now, most of anatomic courses and it's function has been identified precisely. But recently, the report about the anastomotic loops of both recurrent laryngeal nerve was published. In this study, we explored three cadevors for identifying the reality of the anastomotic loops between recurrent laryngeal nerves. Finally, we identified the cervicomediastinal anastomosis at tracheoesophageal groove in 2 of 3 cadevors that was confirmed by pathologic finding. This anatomic reliefs related to it's branch are extremely interest, although research is still in its initial phase. Our study will be extended toward histomorphometrical study and progressive electrophysiologic study, and we will be able io gather the largest amount of useful data regarding any possible use of this anatomic entity in future.

• Proceedings of the KSLP Conference
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• 2002.06a
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• pp.211-211
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• 2002

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.188-192
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• 2002

Unilateral vocal cord palsy which is associated with laryngeal trauma is not uncommon event. In a 42-year-old male, a cricoid cartilage fracure had been developed after blunt trauma. The endoscopic findings showed contusion and diffuse swelling around the left arytenoid and false cord. During phonation, the mobility of left side true vocal cord was decreased. There were no level difference and displacement of the left side arytenoid. We used the laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) to make a differential diagnosis between the cricoarytenoid joint dislocation and the injury of recurrent laryngeal nerve. At the right thyroarytenoid muscle and cricothyroid muscle, the findings of LEMG were normal. But the amplitude and frequency during phonation were decreased (partial denervation) at the left thyroarytenoid muscle. LEMG is a very useful method to predict the diagnosis of vocal cord palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.141-143
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• 2015

Ortner's syndrome is a rare clinical entity with hoarseness attributable to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in cardiovascular diseases. The mechanism of this condition is thought to be due to compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by a dilated, tense cardiovascular structure against its adjacent tissue; thus, this is also known as cardio-vocal syndrome. We experienced the case of a 81-year-old female suffering from hoarseness due to a large aneurysm of the aortic arch, and reviews the literature for possible cardiovascular causes of Ortner's syndrome.

• Korean Journal of Bronchoesophagology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.5-10
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• 2013

Bilateral vocal cord palsy (BVCP) present a challenging condition which result from various etiologies including iatrogenic recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, progressive neurological disorder, intubation, trauma, tumor and idiopathic cause. Careful history taking, laryngoscopic evaluation, laryngeal EMG, and imaging studies are helpful for providing a precise diagnosis and planning appropriate treatment. BVCP causes airway restriction and not vocal dysfunction. In patients with BVFP, treatment is directed at maximizing the airway, while attempting to limit the negative effects of treatment on vocal function. A variety of surgical procedures are available for mangement of BVCP. The most conservative, limited procedure should be selected initially, and then further surgery and more extensive surgery can be tailored to the patient's airway and voice needs. This review will address the etiology, diagnosis, and managements of BVCP.

• Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine
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• v.41 no.6
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• pp.1019-1027
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• 2017

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics between neurogenic and non-neurogenic cause of vocal cord immobility (VCI). Methods The researchers retrospectively reviewed clinical data of patients who underwent laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). LEMG was performed in the bilateral cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles. A total of 137 patients were enrolled from 2011 to 2016, and they were assigned to either the neurogenic or non-neurogenic VCI group, according to the LEMG results. The clinical characteristics were compared between the two groups and a subgroup analysis was done in the neurogenic group. Results Among the 137 subjects, 94 patients had nerve injury. There were no differences between the neurogenic and non-neurogenic group in terms of demographic data, underlying disease except cancer, and premorbid events. In general characteristics, cancer was significantly higher in the neurogenic group than non-neurogenic group (p=0.001). In the clinical findings, the impaired high pitched 'e' sound and aspiration symptoms were significantly higher in neurogenic group (p=0.039 for impaired high pitched 'e' sound; p=0.021 for aspiration symptoms), and sore throat was more common in the non-neurogenic group (p=0.014). In the subgroup analysis of neurogenic group, hoarseness was more common in recurrent laryngeal neuropathy group than superior laryngeal neuropathy group (p=0.018). Conclusion In patients with suspected vocal cord palsy, impaired high pitched 'e' sound and aspiration symptoms were more common in group with neurogenic cause of VCI. Hoarseness was more frequent in subjects with recurrent laryngeal neuropathy. Thorough clinical evaluation and LEMG are important to differentiate underlying cause of VCI.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.139-141
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• 2019

The causes of vocal cord paralysis include iatrogenic injury during thyroid or cervical surgery, heart and chest surgery, and tumorous lesion such as laryngeal cancer and lung cancer. In addition to these common causes, rarely, cardiovascular disease can also cause vocal fold paralysis. A disease known as Cardiovocal syndrome, or Ortner's syndrome, causes left vocal fold paralysis when the left recurrent laryngeal nerve is compressed by the pulmonary artery and aorta, which is occurred by pulmonary hypertension from heart disease. We report for the first case in Korea the diagnosis of vocal fold paralysis caused by Ortner's syndrome.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.336-345
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• 2023

Background: The objective of this study was to demonstrate the safety, efficacy, and feasibility of intraoperative monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerves during thoracoscopic and robotic 3-field esophagectomy. Methods: This retrospective analysis details our initial experience using intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Data were obtained from a prospectively maintained database and electronic medical records. The study included all patients who underwent minimally invasive (video-assisted thoracic surgery/robotic) transthoracic esophagectomy with neck anastomosis. The patients were divided into those who underwent IONM during the study period and a historical cohort who underwent 3-field esophagectomy without IONM at the same institution. Appropriate statistical tests were used to compare the 2 groups. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent nerve monitoring during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy. Of these, 15 patients underwent thoraco-laparoscopic operation, while 9 received a robot-assisted procedure. In the immediate postoperative period, 8 of 24 patients (33.3%) experienced vocal cord paralysis. Relative to a historical cohort from the same institution, who were treated with surgery without nerve monitoring in the preceding 5 years, a 26% reduction was observed in the nerve paralysis rate (p=0.08). On follow-up, 6 of the 8 patients with vocal cord paralysis reported a return to normal vocal function. Additionally, patients who underwent IONM exhibited a higher nodal yield and a decreased frequency of tracheostomy and bronchoscopy. Conclusion: The use of IONM during minimally invasive 3-field esophagectomy is safe and feasible. This technique has the potential to decrease the incidence of recurrent nerve palsy and increase nodal yield.