Clin Exp Otorhinolaryngol.  2010 Dec;3(4):229-232. 10.3342/ceo.2010.3.4.229.

Transoral CO2 Laser Resection for Post-Radiation Arytenoid Edema

• Lee HS
• Kim SW
• Kim WS
• Lee KD

• KMID: 2049057
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/ceo.2010.3.4.229

Abstract

Arytenoid edema following radiation therapy of laryngeal cancer may persist and make careful inspection and evaluation of the larynx difficult. Moreover, it may have serious impacts on functions such as breathing, swallowing, speech and voice. Conservative management such as antibiotics and steroid may be attempted but may be ineffective in progressive and severe cases of edema. We present four cases of persistent postradiation arytenoid edema successfully treated with partial resection of the arytenoid mucosa using transoral CO2 laser.

Keyword

CO2 Laser; Radiotherapy; Laryngeal edema; Arytenoid cartilage

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Arytenoid Cartilage
Deglutition
Edema
Laryngeal Edema
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Larynx
Lasers, Gas
Mucous Membrane
Respiration
Voice
Anti-Bacterial Agents

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Photograph obtained from laryngoscopy. Preoperative arytenoid edema (A) and widening of airway at postoperative 51 months (B) in case 1. Preoperative state (C) and postoperative 21 months (D) in case 2. Preoperative state (E) and postoperative 17 months (F) in case 3. Preoperative state (G) and postoperative 33 months (H) in case 4.

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) An illustration of CO2 laser resection line in arytenoid edema. (B) An illustration of the laser resection line in the arytenoid edema (sagittal view) and the mucosa grasped with a microlaryngeal cup forcep and separated from the arytenoid.

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