Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2000 Dec;43(12):1328-1336.

Clinical Usefulness of Electroglottography in the Topographic Diagnosis of Vocal Cord Paralysis Based on Laryngeal Electromyographic Findings

• Park JH
• Lee BJ
• Kim CS
• Kwon SB
• Lee HS
• Son BH
• Kong SK
• Park BK
• Wang SG

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Some objective and quantitative diagnositc methods are introduced to evaluate vocal cord paralysis, such as electro glottography (EGG) and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). LEMG is an invasive and highly technical method requiring patient's cooperation. It records action potential generated when intrinsic laryngeal musculature contracts. EGG, on the other hand, records changes of impedence between both vocal cords when theses vibrate and represents many information of vocal cord movements. This method is non-invasive and very simple offering some valuable information about voice function of laryngeal diseases.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From January 1998 through May 2000, we evaluated 15 vocal cord paralysis patients by LEMG and EGG and compared the usefulness of these two methods by determining the lesions of vagal nerve injury.
RESULTS
For patients who had severe recurrent laryngeal nerve injuries, EGG and dEGG showed no plateau phase but a loss of two-mass movements. Some showed very irregular saw-tooth shaped wave patterns. Patients with vagal nerve injury, EGG and dEGG showed relatively well maintained plateau phases because they had paralyzed cricothyroid muscles which are counteract to abductor of vocal cord.
CONCLUSION
Although EGG did not provide information about such diseases as laryngeal myopathy and arthropathy, it is simple and non-invasive, and may he much valuable as a topodiagnostic method of vocal cord paralysis.

Keyword

Vocal cord paralysis; Electroglottography; LEMG

MeSH Terms

Action Potentials
Diagnosis*
Electromyography
Hand
Humans
Laryngeal Diseases
Laryngeal Muscles
Muscular Diseases
Ovum
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injuries
Vocal Cord Paralysis*
Vocal Cords*
Voice