Laryngeal ultrasound to assess vocal fold paralysis in children

TLDR

The study aimed to evaluate the practicality and validity of laryngeal ultrasound for assessing vocal fold movement in children with suspected palsy. The authors examined 55 consecutive children (3 days–12 years) with suspected palsy using both laryngoscopy and laryngeal ultrasound. Ultrasound matched endoscopy in 81.2 % of cases overall (89.5 % in children over 12 months), was well tolerated, safe, non‑invasive, and serves as a useful adjunct to endoscopy.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the practicality and validity of laryngeal ultrasound to establish vocal fold movement in children with suspected vocal fold palsy. Fifty-five consecutive patients (age range three days to 12 years) with suspected vocal fold palsy underwent both laryngoscopy and laryngeal ultrasound. Ultrasonographic findings correlated with endoscopic findings in 81.2 per cent of cases. This, however, rose to a concordance rate of 89.5 per cent in patients aged over 12 months. Laryngeal ultrasound is well-tolerated, safe and non-invasive and the authors feel that it is a useful adjunct to endoscopy in the diagnosis of vocal fold palsy.