• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.60-62
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• 2011

Primary laryngeal aspergillosis is rare, It is most often found in immunocompromised patient, such as leukemia, malignant disease, diabetes or immunosuppressive drugs. These days the occurrences of laryngeal aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients are increasing. The cause of laryngeal aspergillosis in immunocompetent patients is not clear, but a few factors are considered such as iatrogenic factors, vocal abuse, vocal fold cyst and occupational factors. The histopathologic characteristics are somewhat different between that of immunocompromised patients and immunocompetent patients. We report a case of primary vocal cord aspergillosis in immunocompetent patient who had treated with only surgery and brief review of the pertinent literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.107-109
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• 2018

Lipomas are benign tumors and most commonly occurs in trunk, upper extremities and lower extremities. About 13-15% of lipomas are located in the head and neck area. However, lipomas of larynx are very rare and only about 100 cases have been reported. Laryngeal lipomas occur mainly in epiglottis, aryepiglottic fold and false vocal cords, which have adipose tissue. Author experienced an unusual presentation of laryngeal lipoma. Tumor seemed to be located in the supraglottis in the preoperative laryngoscopy, but it was found to be located at the free margin of the true vocal cord. To date, only one case has been reported in the world literature. We report this case with a review of the literature.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.45-49
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• 2022

Post-thyroidectomy syndrome refers to various voice changes experienced after the thyroid surgery. Among them, surgery or injection therapy has been prioritized over voice therapy for the bilateral vocal cord paralysis. However, if it is possible to determine whether voice therapy can be applied first, a faster treatment recovery will be possible. In this study, voice therapy was performed on a 59-year-old female patient with bilateral vocal cord paralysis after total thyroidectomy. This study is to presents the criteria for applying the voice therapy first for bilateral vocal folds paralysis and to share successful voice therapy sessions.

• Phonetics and Speech Sciences
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• v.1 no.4
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• pp.195-201
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to use high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) to compare vocal vibratory behaviors of persons who stutter (PWS) and persons with muscle tension dysphonia (PMTD) for uttering the /i/ vowel in a bid to identify the characteristics of vocal fold vibratory behaviors of PWS. This study surveyed seven developmental PWSs and seven PMTDs. The findings of the study indicated the following: first, regarding the two groups' vocal fold vibratory behaviors, of seven PWSs, three were found to be close vocal tract (VC) and four were found to be combination vocal tract (VCB). Of the seven PMTDs, one was found to be VC, and the other six were found to be VCB. These results indicate that a voiceprint which is different from the open vocal tract (VO) found in normal groups in research conducted by Jung, et al. (2008b) appeared in both groups of this study. Even between the two groups, there is a difference in the voiceprint before vocalization. Second, a VKG analysis was conducted to identify the two groups' vocal cord contact quotient. As a result, the PWS group's vocal cord contact quotient changed gradually from an irregular one at the initial vocalization stage to a regular one. The PMTD group continued the tension at the initial vocalization. Putting together all of these results, there is a difference in vocal fold vibratory behaviors between PWSs and PMTDs when they speak. Thus, there was a difference in muscular tension between the two groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.113-117
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• 2005

Background and Objective : Vocal fold augmentation by injectable material under direct visual control is an easy and simple operation. However, when autologous fat or bovine collagen is used, the resoiption creates a problem. And autologous fascia is debating about absorption now days. We previously reported on the one year results of injected autologous auricular cartilage for volumetric augmentation in paralyzed canine vocal cord. This study evaluates the long-term histomorphologic results of injected autologous auricular cartilage for the augmentation of the paralyzed canine vocal fold at two year. Material and Methods . A prospective trial of autologous cartilage augmentation of vocal cord in animal model. Three dogs were operated upon. A piece of auricular cartilage was harvested from the ear and minced into tiny chips with a scalpel. Fat was harvested from inguinal area and minced with a scalpel. The minced cartilage and fat-paste (0.2ml) was injected using a pressure syringe into the paralyzed thyroarytenoid muscle using direct laryngoscopy. Three animals were sacrificed at 2 years. Each subject underwent laryngectomy and serial coronal sections of paraffin blocks from the posterior vocal fold were made. Results There was no significant complication perioperatively and during follow-up. The injected cartilage which appeared to have lost viability existed in the vocalis muscles until 24 months. Fibrotic change was exhibited in the surrounding injected cartilage. Conclusion : The autologous auricular cartilage graft is well tolerated and may be very effective material for volumetric augmentation on paralyzed vocal cord.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.23-27
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• 2005

Background and Objectives : Voice disorders can cause problems in patients with benign vocal cord lesions emotionally, physically, economically and functionally. Neither subjective nor objective voice examinations can evaluate such factors adequately. The Voice Handicap Index (VHI) subjectively evaluates voice disorders in terms of physical, functional, emotional factors and measures the patient's perception of the impact of voice disorder. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of VHI in the patients with benign vocal cord lesions. Materials and Method : The authors evaluated 37 patients who experienced laryngeal microsurgery for benign vocal cord lesions from september 2003 to August 2004. The VHI was used to measure the postoperative changes of the patient's perception and acoustic analysis and aerodynamic tests were also done. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test and Pearson's correlation. Results : The VHI scores showed statistically significant reductions postoperatively. In acoustic analysis, jitter and shimmer had statistically significant reductions after surgery but noise-to-harmonics ratio did not. A statistically significant change in the average MFR and MPT perioperatively was found. The relationship between VHI and acoustic, aerodynamic analysis attained statistical significance. Conclusion : The VHI is a useful assessment tool to monitor the patient's self-perception of voice change after the surgery of benign vocal cord lesions. The VHI measurement, when combined with acoustic and aerodynamic analyses, will be helpful in comparing functional outcomes after voice surgery.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.111-114
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• 2006

Objective : The anterior approach to the cervical spine now selves as the surgical across of choice for cervical spine disease. Vocal cord paryalysis(VCP) follow the procedure as a complication, and it is most common complication of this procedure. However, the frequency and etiology of this injury are not clearly defined. This study was performed to establish the clinical features of vocal cord paralysis in anterior cervical spine surgery(ACSS). Material and Method : Retrospectively, medical records of patients who underwent ACSS at Hallym university medical center, Hangang Sacred Heart Hospital between January 2000 and March 2006 were reviewed. Further detailed review of the patients with documented VCP after surgery was then performed. Results : 242 ACSSs were performed and 9 patients with VCP were identified (3.71%) In 9 patients with VCP, 8 patients had right-sided approaches (6.01%) and 1 patient had left-sided approach (0.91%). All 9 patients had VCP on ipsilateral side and 8 patients were recovered completely on follow up period. Duration of ACSS, multilevel exposure and low-level (below the C6 level) exposure have been found to be associated with higher risk. Conclusion : For avoiding the recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, surgeon have to understand the clinical features of VCP in ACSS. As right-sided approach has a greater risk of recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, we suggest that the left-sided approach be given more consideration.

• 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.18 no.2
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• pp.118-121
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• 2007

Background and Objectives: Silicone, Gore- Tex, Gelfoam, Collagen and autologous fat are used for thyroplasty in case of vocal fold paralysis or paresis. These implants have many advantages, such as biocompatibility, low price and easy handling and accessibility. But additional voice modification is impossible using these materials. So, we design new thyroplasty technique, called balloon thyroplasty using Foley catheter. Materal and Methods: The fresh human larynx was dissected in midline posteriorly. Minithyrotomy hole was created using 5mm cutting burr in the midline of thyroid cartilage. Subperichondrial dissection was done using Duckbill elevator up to vocal process. Balloon catheter(1.5cm balloon size) was inserted through the subperichondrial tunnel. The balloon was inflated to medialize the vocal cord. Results: After ballooning, the true vocal cord medialized mimicking thyroplasty. Conclusion: The authors found that Balloon thyroplasty could be a good candidate for vocal fold medialization technique. The technical refinement and in vivo safety are reserved for the ongoing study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2007

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis resulting in glottal incompetence can cause significant morbidity attributable to impaired speech, swallowing, and ability to protect the airway. The treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis has a long history, marked by technical innovations and improvements. These methods typically use endoscopic injection or implants to augment the volume of the affected vocal fold. The first known treatment, reported by Brunnings in 1911, was paraffin injection. The first thyroplasty medializing the paralysed vocal cord was performed by Payr in 1915 ; here, a cartilage door-flap was created from the thyroid ala to obtain better voice quality. In the 1970s, Isshiki systematized and developed the use of the external medialization by Payr. Later he modified his original technique, and achieved safer and better results. Many other methods were introduced for external medialization during the 1980s and 1990s. There has been couple of materials using for medialization laryngoplasty: silicone bloc, cartilage, goretex (polytetrafluoroethylene), titanium, etc. Among them, silicone bloc is the most popularly used material. Type I thyroplasty in combination with arytenoid adduction is a proven technique for medialization of the paralysed vocal fold. In this paper, personal experience for using silicone bloc type I thyroplasty : decision making and practical points, long-term results and complication of the procedure will be discussed.