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A new noninvasive method for determination of laryngeal sensory function
Author(s) -
Bock Jonathan M.,
Blumin Joel H.,
Toohill Robert J.,
Merati Albert L.,
Prieto Thomas E.,
Jaradeh Safwan S.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1002/lary.21182
Subject(s) - medicine , sensory system , superior laryngeal nerve , sensory nerve , vagus nerve , electromyography , recurrent laryngeal nerve , nerve conduction velocity , anesthesia , sternocleidomastoid muscle , stimulation , nerve conduction , larynx , anatomy , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuroscience , psychology , thyroid
Objectives/Hypothesis: We report a new surface technique for studying sensory conduction in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Study Design: Prospective controlled cohort study at an academic tertiary care hospital. Methods: Surface stimulation of the vagus nerve 7–10 cm proximal to a surface electrode placed over the cricothyroid muscle was performed in controls and in subjects with needle electromyographic‐confirmed laryngeal neuropathy. Cathodal stimulation was applied below the mastoid process behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Nerve conduction parameters were determined. Results: Noninvasive SLN evoked potential studies were performed on healthy volunteers (n = 28) as well as neuropathic subjects (n = 27). Compared to controls, the neuropathic subjects had statistically significant differences in baseline‐to‐peak amplitude, conduction velocity, and intrasubject side‐to‐side amplitude ratio ( P <.01) of their surface evoked laryngeal sensory action potential (SELSAP). Conclusions: Laryngeal sensory nerve conduction can be determined noninvasively by evaluating SELSAP waveform. This study provides a reproducible method for electrophysiologic evaluation of a sensory branch of the SLN. Laryngoscope, 2011