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Laryngopedia

To educate about voice, swallowing, airway, coughing, and other head and neck disorders

Vocal Cord Synechia

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Dr. Robert Bastian

Vocal cord synechia is a strand of scar tissue that tethers the vocal cords to each other. It can prevent the vocal cords from opening fully for breathing.

A synechia can also form in other parts of the body. (Note the subglottic synechia shown below.)

Photos:

Vocal Cord Synechia: Before, During, and After Surgery

Vocal Cord Synechia (1 of 9)

Post-intubation synechia tethers the arytenoid cartilages together. This patient is tracheotomy-dependent.

Vocal cord synechia during surgery — Vocal cord synechia, during surgery (2 of 9)

Operative view of synechia ("v" of the vocal cords is inverted). Notice that the vocal cords are completely approximated because the synechia has bound them together.

Tiny forceps are separating the cords — Vocal cord synechia, during surgery (3 of 9)

Tiny forceps is separating the cords (arrows) and more clearly shows the extent of the synechia.

Vocal cord synechia, during surgery (4 of 9)

Micro-scissors in position to divide the synechia cleanly. For perspective, the blade of the scissors is only a few millimeters long.

Vocal cord synechia, during surgery (5 of 9)

After division of the synechia and topical application of an anti-scarring agent.

Vocal cord synechia after surgery — Vocal cord synechia, after surgery (6 of 9)

Five days after surgery. Vocal cords are able to separate for breathing, and the tracheotomy tube can be removed. Compare with photo 1.

Vocal Cord Synechia, after surgery (7 of 9)

Completely healed larynx after release of synechia. Abduction completely restored.

Vocal cord synechia, after surgery (8 of 9)

As the vocal cords are coming together for phonation (not yet completely adducted).

Ossified Synechia Resists Thulium Laser

Tip of glass fiber near the Ossified Synechia — Ossified Synechia, during first laser treatment (2 of 8)

Close-range view of the synechia. The tip of the glass fiber through which laser energy will be delivered is seen just inferior to the synechia.

Laser energy reveals bone underneath — Ossified synechia, during first laser treatment (3 of 8)

As the synechia is divided, a core of bone formation is exposed. More than half of the laser energy has been delivered to this spar of bone, yet it will not yield. The tip of the scope has also been flexed against the synechia to no avail. A second attempt with higher energy laser has been scheduled.

Ossified synechia 4 months later — Ossified synechia, 4 months later (4 of 8)

Four months later. The synechia remains, and there is residual granulation tissue on its undersurface. It's not yet known whether the spar of bone is still present. Compare with photo 2.

Second surgery attempt of thulium laser — Ossified synechia, 4 months later (5 of 8)

Now, with the thulium laser, beginning a second attempt at dividing the synechia.

Thulim laser reveals no bone remaining in ossified synechia — Ossified synechia, 4 months later (6 of 8)

The spar of bone is not found within the synechia (apparently turned to ash during the original procedure four months earlier), and now the scar band is divided. The patient could feel the difference in her breathing immediately.

synechia is now gone 6 months later — Synechia gone, 6 months later (7 of 8)

Six months after the initial laser treatment for this patient's bone-containing synechia. The synechia is now gone, with only a small residual projection remaining, left of photo. The vocal cords also separate more widely, to a wider "V".

Synechia gone, 6 months later (8 of 8)

During phonation. The divots from pressure necrosis of the endotracheal tube remain evident. In spite of them, the patient's voice is excellent.

Vocal Cord Synechia

Intubation Injury, Including a Subglottic Synechia

View of the vocal cords in abducted position — Intubation injury, including a subglottic synechia (1 of 2)

View of the vocal cords, in abducted position, in a patient with voice change after long-term intubation due to brain injury. Injury of the left posterior vocal cord (right of image) can be seen, where pressure from the breathing tube caused an erosion or divot (arrow). The synechia is not yet visible from this viewing perspective.

posterior synechia — Intubation injury, including a subglottic synechia (2 of 2)

Same patient, just below the level of the cords. This synechia, located posteriorly, is additional evidence of breathing tube injury.

Synechia Hidden by Overhanging Arytenoid Superstructure

Synechia hidden by overhanging arytenoid superstructure (1 of 4)

Maximum possible abduction of the vocal cords, as seen a few months after an illness that required endotracheal intubation for 3 weeks. This person experienced noisy breathing with any significant exertion.

Synechia hidden by overhanging arytenoid superstructure (2 of 4)

With elicited sudden inhalation the inspiratory air draws the vocal cords together, and the result is involuntary inspiratory phonation.

Synechia hidden by overhanging arytenoid superstructure (3 of 4)

Close-up view of the posterior vocal cords reveal a synechia or scar band tethering the vocal cords to each other and preventing their abduction. This kind of injury can exist in isolation; it can also occur together with cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis.

Synechia hidden by overhanging arytenoid superstructure (4 of 4)

An even closer view of the synechia.

Nasal and Inter-arytenoid Synechiae, with Subglottic Stenosis in Forme Fruste Wegener’s

inflammatory adhesion in left nasal cavity — Nasal cavity (1 of 4)

View in left nasal cavity, showing inflammatory adhesion between septum and turbinate/ lateral wall of nose. Note intense erythema at “e.” Dotted line shows where normal separation would be seen.

adhesion of septum and turbinates — Closer view (2 of 4)

Closer, brighter view, again with dotted line where there should be no tissue bridge, but instead separation between septum and turbinates. This adhesion is asymptomatic, and therefore does not need to be treated.

Panoramic view (3 of 4)

Panoramic view of larynx, showing adhesion between arytenoid cartilages indicated by vertical hashed lines. Horizontal dashed line is for reference with the next photo.

interarytenoid synechia is no longer seen after dilation — Post dilation (4 of 4)

After dilation, the interarytenoid synechia is no longer seen. Subglottic stenosis is present but not shown in this series.

Ulcerative Laryngitis and Resulting Synechia – Fixed!

Synechia (1 of 3)

This woman developed a sore throat and lost her voice a week after a chemotherapy treatment for her metastatic breast cancer. Here, 6 weeks later, note the hazy area representing resolving “ulcerative” laryngitis (surrounded by tiny dotted line). There is a synechia attaching the cords together.

slight separation of attached vocal cords — Attempted to detach (2 of 3)

The flexible scope has been used once to “twang upwards” from below in order to detach the cords from each other. At the arrow, slight separation can be seen.

Successfully detached (3 of 3)

Just after the second attempt. That is, for the second time, the scope was passed below the cords, angulated sharply underneath the synechia, and then pulled upwards. The adhesion has been released. Voice is instantly and dramatically restored (though still hoarse, of course).

Posterior Commissure Synechiae

tissue band tethers the vocal cords closer together — Tethered vocal cords (1 of 5)

This man has right vocal cord paralysis and a history decades ago of Teflon injection into the right vocal cord, resulting in posterior commissure synechiae. He is short of breath, partly due to the tissue band and partly because it tethers the vocal cords closer together than they would otherwise need to be as seen in photo 4 after the band is removed. See also photo 5.

Tethered vocal cords (2 of 5)

At closer range.

thulium laser fiber is touching the synechiae — Before laser removal (3 of 5)

The thulium laser fiber (F) is touching the synechiae, with laser energy about to be delivered.

Immediately after laser (4 of 5)

This is just after the thulium laser division of the band using topical anesthesia only, with patient sitting in a chair.

Vocal cords free of synechiae — One month post-op (5 of 5)

A month later, no residue of the synechiae is seen, and the vocal cords can spring farther apart than in photo 1.

Difficulty Breathing After A 3-day Intubation

Noisy, restricted breathing following intubation (1 of 5)

This teenager was intubated for 3 days due to tongue swelling. Breathing became noisy and restricted approximately 6 weeks later. Note that the vocal cords do not abduct fully and there is what appears to be granulation tissue at the posterior commissure (anterior asterisk).

vocal cords come into contact — Normal voice (2 of 5)

The vocal cords can come into contact as shown here, consistent with her normal-sounding voice.

small tract is seen posterior to the granulation — At close range (3 of 5)

At very close range within the posterior commissure, a small tract is seen posterior to the "granulation" which is now seen more clearly to be a broad-based synechiae with asterisks marking anterior and posterior limits.

At even closer range (4 of 5)

An even closer view verifies a posterior tract, and this makes it less likely that the cricoarytenoid joints are also injured.

small superficial-looking scar — Mucosa-only scar (5 of 5)

This view is taken with the scope passed just between the vocal cords and just anterior to the synechiae and angled directly posteriorly. A small superficial-looking "mucosa-only" scar is seen bilaterally, surrounded by dotted line. It can be confidently predicted that when the synechiae is released, the arytenoid cartilages will likely be able to abduct fully.

Videos:

https://youtu.be/yF9pU_CncW4

Vocal Cord Synechia
Vocal cord synechia is a condition wherein a scar band tethers the vocal cords to each other. Therefore, the vocal cords cannot fully open for breathing. This video provides a clear example — using laryngeal videostroboscopy — of a vocal cord synechia.

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) and Other HPV-Induced Lesions

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Dr. Robert Bastian

A disorder in which wart-like tumors or other lesions grow recurrently within a person’s airway. These growths are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), and they may occur anywhere in a person’s airway, such as on the vocal cords (by far the most common site), in the supraglottic larynx, or in the trachea. If these growths are removed, they will almost always grow back, or recur; hence, “recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.”

Symptoms and risks of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis:

RRP can be life-threatening in young children, if not carefully followed and treated, since a child’s airway is relatively narrow and can potentially be obstructed completely by the disease’s proliferative growths; moreover, RRP in children tends to grow and recur more aggressively. In adults, RRP will usually only impair voice function (when the growths occur on the vocal cords), though it can also impair breathing in severe cases. Occasionally, RRP can also progress to cancer, and therefore patients found to be at high risk for this (see below) need to be monitored carefully.

Characteristics of the growths:

The growths usually associated with RRP are wart-like tumors, or papillomas, that protrude conspicuously from the surface on which they grow, often in grape-like clusters. These kinds of papillomas are usually seen in patients who have HPV subtypes 6 or 11, which are both lower-risk subtypes for incurring cancer. There are some HPV patients, however, who manifest their HPV infection with subtler, velvety growths within the airway—“carpet-variant” growths, so to speak. Although these “carpet-variant” growths do not have the wart-like appearance of the papillomas typically associated with RRP, there at least a few key points of similarity:

Both the “carpet-variant” and wart-like growths are lesions that sometimes appear, either independently or together, in patients who have HPV;
Both the “carpet-variant” and wart-like growths are stippled with polka-dot vascular markings, because each “loop” in the “carpet” or each “grape” in the wart-like cluster has its own fibrovascular core, seen as a red dot;
Both the “carpet-variant” and wart-like growths can disrupt voice function;
Both the “carpet-variant” and wart-like growths usually recur if they are removed.

Because of these similarities, we consider these “carpet-variant” growths, even when the sole expression of the infection, to be at least a cousin to RRP, within the family of HPV-induced lesions. Many patients with this “carpet-variant” condition have HPV subtypes such as 16 or 18 that are higher-risk for cancer; such patients need to be monitored with particular care.

Treatment for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis:

The primary treatment for RRP and other HPV-induced lesions is careful, conservative surgical removal of the growths. Because these growths almost always recur, surgery must usually be performed on a repeated basis, as frequently as every few weeks in children, but on average much less often in adults. A common interval between surgeries for adult patients is between every six months and every two years, depending on how quickly the RRP or other HPV-related lesion recurs and impairs the patient’s voice function again. There are also a few medical treatments that have been used in addition to surgery, including, among others, interferon, indole-3-carbinol, intralesional mumps or MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine, cidofovir, and bevacizumab.

Photos:

Humility Before the HPV Virus—A Recurrence of Papillomas at Ten Years

HPV infection is considered chronic, and causes recurrent growth of papillomas in the larynx. Still, we sometimes see what appear to be cures, or at least long-term remissions. That appears to be the case here. After an 8 year interval of perfect voice, the patient had a sudden increase of hoarseness occurring in the few weeks prior to the last examination below. This is an illustration of why we often say to a patient who appears to be cured, “You may be cured, but we usually say “long term remission.” This patient’s scenario is not rare. Was her longterm, 8-year remission due to meticulous surgery? Cidofovir? Her immune response? It is impossible to say if it was one or all of these factors.

Stippled Vascularity (1 of 8)

In a somewhat distant view from 10 years earlier, under standard light, both vocal cords appear to be covered with stippled rather than (normal) linear or curvilinear vascularity. The diagnosis (biopsy confirmed): laryngeal papillomatosis aka RRP (recurrent respiratory papillomatosis), type 6.

HPV infection (2 of 8)

A somewhat closer view under blue-green narrow band light accentuates the stippled vascularity so typical of HPV infection. Both true cords are covered and there are patches on the false cords (arrows).

HPV vascular effect (4 of 8)

At closer range with narrow band light, the HPV vascular effect on the right cord is made more obvious (arrows). The patient requested a “curative mode” additional surgery to clear up this tiny residue and inject cidofovir.

16 months later (5 of 8)

16 months later, voice remains normal to patient, and there is no sign of recurrent HPV vascularity or lesion.

Is it long-term remission? (6 of 8)

A slightly blurry narrow band view, again showing no sign of stippling. Is she “cured?” Or in long-term remission?

Recurrent Papilloma (7 of 8)

After 8 years of normal voice, the patient re-presented due to hoarseness, saying that her voice had been “perfect” up until a few weeks earlier. She was not sick, but noticed increased “drainage” and voice change. The explanation is a recurrent papilloma.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 11, before and After Removal

Papillomas, removed: HPV Subtype 11 (3 of 4)

Two weeks after microsurgical removal, cidofovir injection, and return of normal voice.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 6, Before and after Removal

Papillomas, removed: HPV Subtype 6 (3 of 4)

After removal and cidofovir injection, normalized larynx. Voice is normal.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 11

HPV Lesions

Lesions of HPV Subtype? (1 of 2)

Under standard light, faint stippled vascularity is seen, along with a general mild inflammatory response (pinkness). Patients like this are often misdiagnosed with acid reflux.

Lesions and Papillomas of HPV, Before and After Removal and Adjuvant Injection

Lesions and papillomas of HPV subtype? (1 of 8)

At initial diagnosis, as yet untyped for HPV. Multi-focal lesions on both vocal cords.

Subtle lesion (2 of 8)

Narrow-band illumination and a different viewing angle better reveal the more subtle lesion on the upper surface of the right cord (dotted circle).

Open phase (3 of 8)

Strobe light, open phase of vibration, showing mismatch.

1 week after removal (4 of 8)

One week after removal of papillomas, voice is dramatically restored. Strobe light, open phase of vibration. Compare with photo 3.

injecting adjuvant — Injecting adjuvant (6 of 8)

At three weeks after removal, the patient regards his voice as normal. The patient has neither lesion nor vascular change to suggest any residual or recurrent lesion. Needle in photo (arrow) positioned to inject adjuvant medication in attempt to prevent recurrence. This procedure is done in a voice lab under topical anesthesia, not the operating room.

after injecting adjuvant — After injecting adjuvant (7 of 8)

After both cords have been “inflated” with adjuvant medication. Note the convex, slightly blanched vocal cord margins, due to superficial infiltration of the medication.

after final adjuvant injection — After final adjuvant injection (8 of 8)

Nearly a month later, immediately after the third and final adjuvant injection (hence the blood below the vocal cords). The patient again regarded his voice as completely normal. No sign at this early point of recurrence of papillomas or other HPV lesions. Patients with focal disease as seen in photo 1 of this series not infrequently go into long-term remission or “cure,” though it may be impossible to discern the relative roles of surgery, adjuvants, and the patient’s immune system.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 55, Going Into Remission

Papillomas, in remission: HPV Subtype 55 (3 of 4)

Same patient, years later, in remission, and with normal voice. No sign of papillomas here or anytime during the prior three and a half years, after meticulous removal and Cidofovir treatment.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 11

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 31, Going Into Remission

Papillomas, in remission: HPV Subtype 31 (3 of 4)

Three years after photos 1 and 2, standard light view. Within two months of the start of celecoxib, voice improved very noticeably, and the "HPV effect" vascularity resolved. Still, it is unknown what roles in this recovery were played by the patient's immune system, the cidofovir, and the celecoxib, respectively.

Papillomas, HPV

Pushing Past Red Herrings to Find the Real Issue

Obvious lesion not important (1 of 3)

Several months after removal of exuberant papillomas, voice remains quite good, but is becoming a little deeper. The obvious lesion here is not important; the subtle one is the key.

Granuloma (2 of 3)

Narrow band light reveals the spherical lesion to be a granuloma, not papilloma (which would have stippled vascular markings).

Carpet-varient papilloma (3 of 3)

At closer range, still under narrow band light, carpet-variant papilloma can be seen on the posterior right vocal cord (left of photo). This is the important finding.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 18 or 45

Lesions of HPV Subtype 16

Cancer, HPV Subtype 16, Before and After Radiation

tumor is no longer seen 6 months after radiation therapy — Cancer: HPV Subtype 16, after radiation therapy (3 of 5)

Six weeks after the end of radiation therapy, the tumor is no longer seen. However, part of the left cord (right of image) is missing, due to sloughing of the tumor that had eaten away part of the cord’s normal tissue.

margin of the left cord is lower than the right — Cancer: HPV Subtype 16, after radiation therapy (4 of 5)

Phonation. Strobe light, open phase of vibration, shows that the margin of the left cord (right of image) is at a lower level than the right’s, due to loss of some of the bulk of the cord where the tumor died and sloughed away.

ight cord unsuccessfully attempts to reach the left cord’s residual upper surface mucosa — Cancer: HPV Subtype 16, after radiation therapy (5 of 5)

Strobe light, closed phase of vibration. The more normal right cord (left of image) unsuccessfully attempts to reach the left cord’s residual upper surface mucosa. Voice is functional but hoarse.

Papillomas, HPV Subtype 45

Mid-Tracheal Papilloma, Treated By Thulium Laser

Mid-tracheal papilloma, being treated by thulium laser (1 of 5)

The papilloma is seen attached to the posterior tracheal wall, at the midpoint of the trachea. Note the areas of scarring from prior laser procedures. The dots seen indicate reference points for photo 5.

Months after treatment: no papilloma (5 of 5)

Durable resolution of papilloma, many months afterwards. Compare with photo 1.

Subtle Papillomas, HPV Subtype 6

HPV Vascular Effect

Two papillomas (1 of 3)

Approximately one month after removal of papillomas and Avastin injection in a man who has battled aggressively-recurring disease caused by HPV, type 6. In this view using narrow band light, only two small papillomas are visible.

Laryngeal Papillomas Rarely Can be Found by … Accident

Papilloma finding (1 of 4)

This young man had a tonsil problem and normal voice but during the initial head and neck examination was found to have a papilloma in his larynx. Rapid recurrence and spread triggered referral. Note stippled vascularity on masses along the edges of the false vocal cords.

Narrow band light (2 of 4)

Narrow band light makes the papillomas much more evident.

Closed phase (3 of 4)

Under strobe light, closed phase of vibration, the true cords are seen to be uninvolved, and this explains his normal voice.

Winning Papilloma Battles, but not Winning the War….Yet

Left vocal cord lesion (1 of 8)

Middle aged woman with a 6-month history of hoarseness. Note the left vocal cord lesion (right of photo at arrow).

One week after removal (3 of 8)

A week after removal (and proof of HPV subtype 6), the left cord (right of photo) shows expected pinkness. The tiny lesion under the right cord (left of photo) “escaped” and appears larger but is still not a verifiable papilloma, nor is the tiny lesion on the upper surface of the right cord (left of photo) at the (?)

2 months after removal (4 of 8)

Now 2 months after surgical removal of the original left cord lesion, that cord is healed and without evidence of papilloma. Voice is excellent—can pass for normal—but the tiny lesions previously seen are now verifiably flat papillomas (see stippled vascularity at arrows).

7 months after removal (5 of 8)

Now 7 months after original surgery, voice remains “almost” normal to the patient. Cord margins match well with voicing. Irregular margins are primarily due to overlying mucus.

Papilloma and mucus (6 of 8)

With abduction of the cords for breathing, a papilloma is seen below the margin of the right cord (left of photo at large arrow); the small arrows outline a peculiar “elevated” area that looks to be more than mucus the mucus seen at 'X'.

HPV disease (8 of 8)

Still under narrow band light, stippled vascularity in the area of the arrows suggests that this elevated area also represents HPV disease.

What “Cured” this Case of RRP? Surgery? Cidofovir? The Patient’s Immune System? All Three?

Papilloma (1 of 8)

Papilloma on right vocal cord (left of photo), proven by biopsy elsewhere. The disease has both a projecting component along with 'carpet-variant' component seen only via stippled vascular marks (within dashed line).

Stippling (2 of 8)

Closer view under strobe light; stippling is seen more clearly. Compare the stippling with the linear capillaries of the opposite cord.

One week after surgical removal (3 of 8)

One week after removal and sub typing (HPV 6) and cidofovir injection. Under narrow band light there is residual bruising but no significant stippling.

Cidofovir injection (4 of 8)

At final office-based cidofovir injection. Blood from the injection is seen, but still no stippling.

Six months after surgical removal (5 of 8)

Six months after removal, papillomas have recurred at the margin of the vocal cord, but not on its upper surface where linear capillaries have replaced stippling.

One week after second removal (6 of 8)

A week after second removal of papillomas and cidofovir injection, with expected inflammation, but no visible remaining stippled vascularity.

4 months later, healed (7 of 8)

4 months later, the vocal cord has long since healed and narrow band light is used to accentuate capillaries. No HPV effect (stippling) is seen.

3 years later, no sign of papilloma (8 of 8)

3 years later, there is still no sign of papilloma or stippled vascularity (HPV effect).

RRP Cure? Or Just Long Term Remission?

Chronic hoarseness (1 of 4)

Chronic hoarseness, due to these papillomas, subsequently proven to be caused by subtype 6. Note HPV-effect vascularity.

4 months later (2 of 4)

A second surgery, 5 cidofovir injections (3 in office), and 4 months later, neither papilloma nor HPV vascular effect are seen here, under narrow band light.

8 months from start of treatment (3 of 4)

Now 8 months from the start of treatment, and 5 months since the final (office) cidofovir injection, there remains no evidence of abnormality. This view is under standard light.

Narrow band lighting (4 of 4)

An even closer view under narrow band light still shows no sign of HPV effect or papilloma. Voice is normal and vibratory flexibility is maintained when examined under strobe light.

Polyps Need A Close Look: Here’s One Reason Why

"Polyps" diagnosis (1 of 4)

This patient is representative of persons initially diagnosed with "polyps," based upon a view like this one.

Papillomas (2 of 4)

Now we can see that these lesions are papillomas by the powerful visual criterion of vascular stippling aka "HPV vascular effect." Another clue of incorrect diagnosis, even with a distant view, would be the patient's non-match with the vocal overdoer syndrome.

Vascular stippling (3 of 4)

Narrow band light at the same magnification accentuates the vascular stippling. Typical papillomas indicated by arrows, and faint lines online areas of "carpet variant" papillomas.

Prephonatory instant (4 of 4)

Prephonatory instant shows additionally that the right vocal cord lesion (left of photo) is in the wrong location for vibratory injury.

Long-term Remission or even “cure” of RRP/Laryngeal Papilloma

Higher magnification (3 of 6)

Again under standard light but at higher magnification.

Higher magnification, narrow band lighting (4 of 6)

Back to narrow band light, to more carefully scrutinize the anterior right vocal cord lesion (left of photo).

Post-operation (5 of 6)

18 months after surgical removal and cidofovir injection, voice is excellent and there is no sign of recurrent papilloma.

Post-operation, narrow band lighting (6 of 6)

Under narrow band light, no stippled vascularity is seen. The question is: is remission due to surgery, cidofovir, or the patient's immune system?

Injected Local Anesthetic Causes Blanching

Infiltrating anesthetic (1 of 3)

A 27-gauge needle tip is poised to infiltrate local anesthetic lidocaine with epinephrine into the papillomas (within dotted line) located just below the anterior commissure. In a moment, the needle will enter the papillomas at the "X".

Blanching (2 of 3)

The needle is buried and the tissue is blanching due to hydrostatic pressure of the injected fluid. The green dot is for reference with photo 3.

Subglottis being injected (3 of 3)

Farther below the vocal cords, the anterior subglottis is seen here being injected. The green dot is for reference with photo 2. The shank of the needle guide looks like a "Doctor Octopus" arm!

Local Rather than Topical Anesthesia can Permit Fairly Major Tracheal Surgery

Obstructive papillomas (1 of 4)

This middle aged man has had lifelong RRP due to HPV 11. Primary focus of his recurrences for many years has been the trachea. Prior operative removals under general anesthesia have been challenging and recent work has used the thulium laser in an office setting. The papillomas seen here explain his mild pre-procedure stridor. His tracheal lumen should be approximately the size of the dotted circle.

Local injections (2 of 4)

A needle catheter passed through the channel of the scope is embedded at arrow, and is injecting 1% lidocaine with epinephrine (see blanched area). Numerous areas are similarly injected.

Removal of papilloma (3 of 4)

Here a large chunk of papilloma (stuck to the laser fiber at arrow) is being pulled away.

Improved breathing with papilloma removal (4 of 4)

An additional chunk is being detached. The patient’s breathing at the conclusion of this procedure is much improved. The tracheal lumen will be even larger when a lot of remaining coagulated papillomas slough away.

Videos:

https://youtu.be/1zQ9jy6JVxo

Papillomas of the Larynx and Trachea (https://youtu.be/1zQ9jy6JVxo)

Papillomas of the Larynx and Trachea
This video shows wart-like growths in the voicebox and windpipe (larynx and trachea) caused by chronic infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

https://vimeo.com/77169624

Pulsed-KTP Laser Coagulation of Vocal Cord Papillomas (RRP) (https://vimeo.com/77169624)

Pulsed-KTP Laser Coagulation of Vocal Cord Papillomas
See a video demonstration of laser coagulation of vocal cord papillomas.

https://youtu.be/xWcCxLkLFXo

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) | What Is It? | a.k.a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) (https://youtu.be/xWcCxLkLFXo)

Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis (RRP) | What Is It?
In this video, Dr. Robert Bastian discusses chronic human papilloma virus (HPV) infection of the larynx (especially vocal cords), causing hoarseness.

Laryngocele

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Dr. Robert Bastian

A disorder in which the laryngeal saccule is inflated and becomes abnormally enlarged. A common symptom of a laryngocele is hoarseness.

How it develops:

The laryngeal saccule, or laryngeal appendix, is a very small blind sac—a dead-end corridor, so to speak—which is located just above the vocal cords, one on each side, and is lined with glands that supply lubrication to the cords. When a person makes voice, it is possible for a little bit of the air being pushed up out of the trachea to slip into this saccule. If over time enough air enters the saccule with enough force, the saccule may begin to be inflated and stretched out, leading to a laryngocele.

In some cases, the air that slips into and inflates the laryngocele will slip back out again as soon as the person stops making voice, so that the laryngocele abruptly inflates and deflates with each start and stop of speech or voice-making. (The photos and video below are an example of this.) In other cases, the air cannot exit as easily, but it may be reabsorbed slowly during quiet times or during sleep—only to be inflated again at the next instance of more active speaking.

Laryngocele vs. saccular cyst:

A much more common disorder of the laryngeal saccule (compared with a laryngocele) is a saccular cyst, which can occur if the entrance to the laryngeal saccule becomes blocked. In this scenario, air is absorbed, but secretions build up and gradually expand the saccule.

Symptoms and treatment for laryngocele:

A common symptom is hoarseness, because while the saccule is inflated, it may press press down on the vocal cords, not allowing them to vibrate freely, or it may block the laryngeal vestibule just above the cords and partially muffle the sound produced by the cords. Standard treatment is surgical removal, through one of two approaches: a small incision on the neck that leads into the larynx from the outside, or a laryngoscope that is inserted through the mouth and down into the larynx so that the laryngocele can be removed using a laser.

Photos:

Laryngocele

Saccule (2 of 5)

Phonation begins: the saccule suddenly begins to inflate.

Saccule blocks airway (3 of 5)

The saccule is at peak inflation. Note how this obstructs the laryngeal airway.

Bilateral Laryngocele, Before and After Removal

Bilateral laryngocele, after removal (5 of 8)

Same patient, breathing position, 12 weeks after complete removal of the bilateral laryngoceles via false cord incisions (lines of incision shown by dotted lines). This patient also has long-standing paralysis of the right vocal cord (left of image) and limited mobility of the left cord, so the cords don’t open fully for breathing.

Laryngocele, Seen in a CT Image

Videos:

https://vimeo.com/77171141

Laryngocele: A Cause of Hoarseness (https://vimeo.com/77171141)

Laryngocele: A Cause of Hoarseness
A laryngocele is a disorder of the saccule, or laryngeal appendix, in which air abnormally expands it. Watch this video to see how a laryngocele behaves in real-time, and why that can affect the voice.

Glottic Sulcus

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Dr. Robert Bastian

A degenerative lesion consisting of the empty “pocket” of what was formerly a cyst under the mucosa of the vocal cord. The lips of a glottic sulcus may be seen faintly during laryngeal stroboscopy. Or, vibratory characteristics may suggest this lesion.

A glottic sulcus may be overlooked unless one is familiar with this entity. To paraphrase eminent French laryngeal microsurgeon Dr. Marc Bouchayer, these lesions are diagnosed much more frequently once you know about them than before. At present, aside from having the patient coexist peacefully with this problem via voice therapy and other measures, surgery is the primary treatment modality.

Photos:

Glottic Sulcus, before and after surgery

a partial ring of capillaries around the glottic sulcus — Glottic sulcus, before surgery (1 of 3)

Glottic sulcus, normal light, showing retained material/ granulation emerging from within the sulcus. There is a partial ring of capillaries around the sulcus on the right (left of photo), but no significant vessels within the sulcus (also see next photo).

Glottic sulcus in narrow-band illumination — Glottic sulcus, before surgery (2 of 3)

Same patient. Narrow-band illumination shows the vascular markings more clearly.

Glottic sulcus after surgery — Glottic sulcus, after surgery (3 of 3)

Same patient, after surgery. Note microvasculature where it was not present prior to operation; especially noticeable on the right side (left of photo). There is a now a continuous layer of mucosa.

Congenital glottic sulcus and bowing, before and after injection

Glottic sulcus in strobe lighting — Glottic sulcus (2 of 10)

Under strobe lighting, during phonation, open phase of vibration, at a normal speech frequency (pitch), showing an unusually large amplitude of vibration.

Glottic sulcus (3 of 10)

Closed phase of vibration, but not quite closing completely.

Glottic sulcus on both cords — Glottic sulcus (4 of 10)

Closer view, during inspiratory phonation, reveals very clearly that this patient has sulci on both cords, with the open pocket especially visible on the right cord (left of photo).

Sulcus with bowing, just prior to injection (5 of 10)

At the prephonatory instant, under standard light. In addition to a sulcus, this patient has congenital bowing.

Glottic sulcus with bowing — Sulcus with bowing, just prior to injection (6 of 10)

Phonation, under standard light, at the pitch E-flat 4 (~311 Hz). Notice in particular the generous width of the zone of vibratory blurring, which correlates with the flaccid, large-amplitude vibration seen in photo 2's strobe view.

Voice gel injection (7 of 10)

The left vocal cord (right of photo) is now being injected with voice gel. The injection is centered so that the undersurface, free margin, and ventricle all show evidence of bulging.

After the injection (9 of 10)

After voice gel injection is completed. At the prephonatory instant. Notice the reduced gap between the vocal cords (compare with photo 5).

After the injection (10 of 10)

During phonation, under standard light, again at E-flat 4 (~311 Hz). The width of vibratory blurring is reduced (compare with photo 6), consistent with reduced amplitude of vibration and reduced air-wasting.

Glottic Sulcus

Glottic sulcus, open (1 of 2)

Same patient, while instrument holds one lip of the sulcus, splaying it open to reveal the empty “pocket” (OR).

Glottic sulcus, closed (2 of 2)

Faint line of glottic sulcus at arrow. Essentially the result of a cyst that has completely emptied of its contents (OR).

Bilateral glottic sulcus — Glottic sulcus (1 of 2)

Bilateral sulci, more subtle; opening closer to the free margin.

Glottic sulcus (2 of 2)

Same patient. Note the tiny opening of the sulcus right at the margin of the left vocal cord.

Glottic sulcus (1 of 2)

Mucosal bridge / glottic sulcus.

Glottic sulcus (1 of 1)

Shallow sulcus, left vocal cord (right of image), at the free margin.

Glottic Sulcus and Glottic Furrow

inspiratory phonation with glottic sulcus and glottic furrow — Glottic sulcus and glottic furrow (2 of 4)

Same patient, inspiratory (breathing in) phonation. Note how this accentuates the opening of the sulcus on the left vocal cord (right of image).

Glottic Sulcus Operation

Glottic sulcus operation (2 of 7)

Initial operative view showing inflammation, capillary prominence, and margin swelling of the right vocal cord. The sulcus is indicated by arrows, but can be seen much more easily in the next photo.

Glottic sulcus operation (3 of 7)

Rolling the cord laterally with an instrument causes the sulcus to gape open.

Glottic sulcus operation (4 of 7)

A needle is inserted lateral to the still-gaping sulcus to infiltrate for both vasoconstriction and hydrodissection.

epithelial-lined pocket is nearly dissected — Glottic sulcus operation (5 of 7)

The epithelial-lined “pocket” is nearly dissected free from the interior of the cord.

Glottic sulcus operation (6 of 7)

The medial and lateral mucosal flaps are retracted to show the deep layer from which the epithelial-lined pocket was dissected.

Incision line after successful surgery — Glottic sulcus operation (7 of 7)

At completion of surgery, there is no loss of surface mucosa, and only an incision line.

Surgical Removal of Glottic Sulcus

Surgical removal of glottic sulcus (1 of 4)

At beginning of surgery, the cord is infiltrated with lidocaine/epinephrine to provide hydrodissection and to expand the mucosa. Line of the sulcus is seen proceding anteriorly from the point of the needle entry.

elliptic incision around the lips of the sulcus — Surgical removal of glottic sulcus (2 of 4)

An elliptic incision has been made around the lips of the sulcus.

Surgical removal of glottic sulcus (3 of 4)

Right-curved alligator clip tents the medial mucosal flap. Arrows indicate the fine line that represents the opening into the sulcus. Curved scissors dissect the anterior aspect of the sulcus pocket from the underlying vocal ligament.

Surgical removal of glottic sulcus (4 of 4)

After the sulcus pocket is removed, gossamer mucosa is tented medially to show remaining flexibility. The voice is expected to be improved, but normal upper voice capabilities are only sometimes achieved.

Open Cyst or Sulcus?

Hoarse voice (1 of 4)

This music teacher has been hoarse for several years. Look for the nuances besides the vascularity and hyperemia, right cord (left of photo) greater than left (right of photo). The next photo makes the findings more obvious.

pearl of keratin emerging from the faintly grey sulcus — Open Cyst Definition (2 of 4)

Under narrow band light, note the “pearl” of keratin emerging from the faintly grey sulcus outlined by the tiny dotted lines. When a lot of keratin is retained, we call this an open cyst; when little or none, just a sulcus. Dotted line on the left vocal cord (right of photo) indicates the middle of the sulcus on that side.

Closed phase (3 of 4)

Closed phase of vibration under strobe light at A4 (440 Hz). The right sided sulcus is concealed, but the left side is more visible. The white line (superimposed dots) represents the lateral lip of the sulcus.

Open phase (4 of 4)

Open phase of vibration at the same pitch shows medial and lateral lips with a linear depression between them.

Sulcus and Segmental Vibration

Glottic sulci (1 of 4)

Closed phase of vibration, strobe light, at G3 (196 Hz) in a young high school teacher/ coach who is also extremely extroverted. Faint dotted lines guide the eye to see the lateral lip of her glottic sulci.

Open phase (2 of 4)

Open phase of vibration at the same pitch, showing full-length oscillation.

Closed phase (3 of 4)

Closed phase of vibration at E-flat 5 (622 Hz). Arrows indicate closure of the short oscillating segment.

Segmental vibration (4 of 4)

Open phase of vibration also at E-flat 5, Only the tiny segment opens significantly. As expected the patient’s voice has the typical segmental “tin whistle” quality.

Open Cyst and Sulcus; Normal and Segmental Vibration

Margin swelling (1 of 6)

Breathing position of the vocal cords of a very hoarse actor. Note the margin swelling of both sides. The white material on the left vocal cord (right of photo) is keratin debris emerging from an open cyst. Find the sulcus of the right vocal cord (left of photo) which is more easily seen in the next photo.

Narrow band light (2 of 6)

Further magnified and under narrow band light. The right sulcus is within the dotted outline. Compare now with photo 1.

Open phase, strobe light (3 of 6)

Under strobe light, open phase of vibration at A3 (220 Hz). The full length of the cords participate in vibration.

only the anterior segment is opening for vibration — Segmental vibration (5 of 6)

At the much higher pitch of C5 (523 Hz) a “tin whistle” quality is heard and only the anterior segment (at arrows) is opening for vibration. The posterior opening is static and not oscillating, as seen in the next photo.

Closed phase (6 of 6)

The closed phase of vibration involves only the tiny anterior segment of the vocal cords, at the arrows. The posterior segment is not vibrating and is unchanged.

Glottic Furrow—Not Just Bowing and Not Glottic Sulcus

Bowing vocal cords with furrows (1 of 4)

This middle-aged man's voice has become increasingly husky and weak across many years. In retrospect, it was never a "strong" voice. The cords are bowed, and the furrows seen here (arrows) become more visible in subsequent photos.

Lower pitch reveals furrow (4 of 4)

At lower pitch, the amplitude of vibration is larger and the right cord (left of photo) reveals more clearly that the the linear depression is a wide furrow, not a slit-like sulcus.

Mottled Vocal Cord Mucosa May Hide Glottic Sulci

Vocal cord swelling and mucosa (1 of 4)

This young “dramatic” soprano is also a bona fide vocal overdoer. Her vocal capabilities have been diminishing for over two years. In this medium-range view, note the rounded swelling of the right cord (left of photo), but more significantly as we shall see, the increased vascularity and mottled appearance of the mucosa.

projecting polypoid swelling — Same view under strobe light (2 of 4)

Under strobe light, at open phase of vibration at C#5 (523 Hz), we see a projecting, polypoid swelling of the right vocal cord, but not yet the more difficult problem.

Closed phase (3 of 4)

Closed phase of vibration, at the same pitch of C#5 shows the mismatch of the vocal cord margins. Is this the entire explanation for this patient's hoarseness? Read on.

Glottic sulcus is visible (4 of 4)

At close range and high magnification, the open mouth of a right-sided glottis sulcus is seen. This side can be operated safely due to the excess, thick mucosa and would be expected to improve the margin match. On the left (right of photo), a sulcus is also seen, but the thinner mucosa makes successful surgery on the left more challenging.

A Case That Clearly Shows the Relationship Between Cyst & Sulcus

white lesion on right vocal cord — White Lesion on Right Vocal Cord (1 of 6)

This young man is known as vocally exuberant. For some years, he has used his voice socially to the point of hoarseness countless times, including at heavy metal rock concerts. In the past year or so, his hoarseness never went away. In this distant view, a white lesion is seen on his right vocal cord (left of photo).

White Lesion Under Strobe Light (2 of 6)

Under strobe light and with higher magnification, the open phase of vibration shows this lesion as a white nubbin protruding from a fossa.

lesion in closed phase of vibration — White Lesion Under Strobe Light (3 of 6)

The closed phase of vibration shows more clearly the depression from which the lesion is protruding.

White Lesion Removed (4 of 6)

After surgical removal and healing, voice is improved though not fully restored. The lesion was granulation and keratosis. It was plucked from the depression without deepening the pre-existing “divot.”

Vocal Cords (5 of 6)

At the open phase of vibration, showing the trough from which the lesion was removed. There is a smaller depression on the left also consistent with vibratory trauma.

closed phase of vibration post removal — Vocal Cords without Lesion (6 of 6)

The closed phase of vibration. Compare with photo 3.

Nuances of Endotracheal Tube Injury

This woman with high-risk comorbidities of diabetes and obesity, was in ventilated in ICU more than a month for pulmonary complications of Covid-19 infection. She had an orotracheal tube in place for 3.5 weeks, and then a tracheotomy tube was placed. Now at her first visit a year later, she remains tracheotomy-dependent, and is told she has bilateral vocal cord paralysis (disproven in the following photo series).

Maximum glottic opening (1 of 8)

Is it paralysis, as diagnosed elsewhere? At a fairly distant view, the maximum opening between the vocal cords at any phase of breathing appears to be approximately a 4mm glottic opening.

Undersurface mucosa indraws (2 of 8)

When the patient inspires rapidly with tracheotomy tube plugged, the vocal cord undersurface mucosa indraws (grey bands at dotted lines), further narrowing the glottic chink. One sees a faint suggestion of breathing tube injury (divot) at the arrow. Notably, there is a very low pitched rumbling sound heard that does not come from the glottis.

vocal cords approximate fully — Phonation (3 of 8)

During phonation, the cords approximate fully, and in fact the voice is remarkably normal-sounding and she even has an excellent upper range.

Posterior commissure divot (4 of 8)

At close range while breathing with trach plugged, the posterior commissure divot subtly visible in Photo 2 is confirmed. A divot in the right posterior cord “always” indicates that the tube was taped to the left corner of the mouth. The patient’s mother confirmed that this was so.

Further evidence of scarring (5 of 8)

Angling farther posteriorly, additional evidence of inter-arytenoid and possible joint capsule injury is seen. Faint dotted lines outline this area. The problem is not bilateral vocal cord paralysis but posterior commissure scarring, tethering the arytenoids together.

membranous trachea moves in and out with respiratory phase — View into trachea (6 of 8)

Looking now into the subglottis and trachea, there is narrowing only at trach entry site, accentuated functionally because the membranous trachea (MT) moves in and out with respiratory phase.

Vibration of trachea (7 of 8)

When the patient plugs the trach tube and inspires rapidly, the deep rumbling sound is again heard, and comes from vibration of the membranous trachea indrawing (arrows) and vibrating (zigzag line).

Open trachea beyond the tube (8 of 8)

A view past the tip of the trach tube shows no secondary area of tracheal stenosis.

The plan here is posterior commissuroplasty, followed by placement of a smaller trach tube and a trial of plugging. If plugging is tolerated during the day, she will need a sleep study with it plugged at night, given the tracheomalacia and her obesity.

https://youtu.be/WdsJXZ8lJXA

Glottic Sulcus: Laryngeal Video Stroboscopy (https://youtu.be/WdsJXZ8lJXA)

Glottic Sulcus: Laryngeal Videostroboscopy
Glottic sulcus is a degenerative lesion consisting of the empty “pocket” of what was formerly a cyst under the mucosa of the vocal fold. The lips of the sulcus may be seen faintly during laryngeal stroboscopy. Or, vibratory characteristics may suggest this lesion.

https://vimeo.com/78735716

Nodules and Other Vocal Cord Injuries: How They Occur and Can Be Treated (https://vimeo.com/78735716)

Nodules and Other Vocal Cord Injuries: How They Occur and Can Be Treated
This video explains how nodules and other vocal cord injuries occur: by excessive vibration of the vocal cords, which happens with vocal overuse. Having laid that foundational understanding, the video goes on to explore the roles of treatment options like voice therapy and vocal cord microsurgery.

Stenosis

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Dr. Robert Bastian

Abnormal narrowing of a passageway in the body. At our practice, stenosis typically refers to narrowing in the breathing passage, such as for narrowing in the glottic, subglottic, or tracheal areas.

Stenosis in the airway can be the result of prolonged endotracheal intubation, external trauma such as gunshot wound, crush injury, or tracheotomy, an inflammatory or auto-immune process, surgical resection of part of the airway for tumor, or other causes. Persons with airway stenosis will note a reduced capacity for exercise. Often the clinician hears noisy breathing on inhalation, especially when the patient is asked to fill the lungs quickly. Esophageal stenosis gives symptoms of difficulty swallowing solids more so than liquids.