Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

The role of glottal gap in predicting aspiration in patients with unilateral vocal paralysis.

Fang TJ, Li HY, Tsai FC, Chen IH

Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. fang3109@yahoo.com.tw

Aspiration has been frequently noted among patients suffering from vocal-fold paralysis. The association between a defect of glottal closure and aspiration in patients with unilateral vocal paralysis appears to have been rarely reported. The current study reviews collected data consisting of videotaped flexible nasoendoscopy and stroboscopy for patients with a unilateral vocal-fold paralysis. Mean normalized glottal gap areas for patients suffering vocal paralysis with associated aspiration are significant greater than that for the non-aspiration group. Subsequent to the surgical correction of the glottal gap, all patients recovered well from their earlier aspiration. The investigation of objectively derived data revealed that poor airway protection due to incomplete closure of the vocal fold was the major cause of aspiration for patients suffering unilateral vocal-fold paralysis. Intracordal autologous fat injection can successfully improve the breath control and eliminate aspiration in patients with vocal-fold paralysis.

Published 9 November 2004 in Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci, 29(6): 709-12.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Paralysis Research Today. All Rights Reserved.