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Echo‐Planar Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Deglutitive Vocal Fold Closure: Normal and Pathologic Patterns of Displacement
Author(s) -
Gilbert Richard J.,
Daftary Shrenik,
Woo Peak,
Seltzer Sharon,
Shapshay Stanley M.,
Weisskoff Robert M.
Publication year - 1996
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 - 10.1097/00005537-199605000-00009
Subject(s) - magnetic resonance imaging , echo planar imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance , planar , displacement (psychology) , physics , medicine , fold (higher order function) , radiology , computer science , psychology , computer graphics (images) , psychotherapist , programming language
Abnormalities of vocal fold closure during deglutition predispose to aspiration due to impairment of airway protection. Conventional assessment of deglutitive vocal fold motion with laryngoscopy does not permit visualization through a complete adduction‐abduction cycle. We determined spatiotemporal patterns of deglutitive vocal fold adduction through echo‐planar magnetic resonance imaging in 15 normal volunteers and 6 patients with vocal fold paralysis. In normal volunteers, deglutitive vocal fold adduction was synchronized with laryngeal elevation, with complete vocal fold closure at the apex. Patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis demonstrated reduced elevation and medial movement of the involved vocal fold. At maximal laryngeal elevation the uninvolved vocal fold attained a position superior to the paralyzed fold, resulting in level differences and an interglottic gap. Patients with bilateral vocal fold paralysis demonstrated reduced elevation and medial movement of both vocal folds. These findings indicate that normal and abnormal patterns of vocal fold displacement can be distinguished noninvasively through the use of echo‐planar imaging. Laryngoscope, 106:568‐572, 1996