Chronic Cough as a Sign of Laryngeal Sensory Neuropathy: Diagnosis and Treatment

2005 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 253-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryant Lee ◽  
Peak Woo
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Chronic Cough ◽  
Symptomatic Relief ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Sensory Neuropathy ◽  
Sudden Onset ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Motor Neuropathy ◽  
Throat Clearing ◽  
Postnasal Drip

Chronic cough is often attributed to reflux, postnasal drip, or asthma. We present 28 patients who had chronic cough or throat-clearing as a manifestation of sensory neuropathy involving the superior or recurrent laryngeal nerve. They had been identified as having sudden-onset cough, laryngospasm, or throat-clearing after viral illness, surgery, or an unknown trigger. Cough and laryngospasm were the most common complaints. Seventy-one percent of the patients had concomitant superior laryngeal nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve motor neuropathy documented by laryngeal electromyography or videostroboscopy. After a negative workup for reflux, asthma, or postnasal drip, these patients were treated with gabapentin at 100 to 900 mg/d. Symptomatic relief was achieved in 68% of the patients. Sensory neuropathy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve or superior laryngeal nerve should be considered in the workup for chronic cough or larynx irritability. Symptomatic management of patients with cough and laryngospasm due to a suspected sensory neuropathy may include the use of antiseizure medications such as gabapentin.

COMPARISON OF ‘AIRWAY NERVE BLOCK’ VS ‘SPRAY-AS-YOU-GO’ METHOD USED FOR AWAKE FLEXIBLE BRONCHOSCOPIC INTUBATION IN COMBINATION WITH CONSCIOUS SEDATION – A PROSPECTIVE, RANDOMISED, SINGLE BLIND STUDY

2021 ◽  
pp. 3-6
Author(s):  
Devesh Kumar Gupta ◽  
Shinu Kaur ◽  
Deepti Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Endotracheal Tube ◽  
Nerve Block ◽  
Conscious Sedation ◽  
Nasotracheal Intubation ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Lidocaine Spray ◽  
Single Blind

Introduction: Fibreoptic Intubation (FOI) is the gold standard for managing difcult airways. There are various approaches such as: Nebulization with lidocaine; 'Spray as you go'(SAYGO); Airway nerve block - blocking superior laryngeal nerve & recurrent laryngeal nerve & sedation. The present study aims to compare 'airway nerve block' (NB) and 'spray as you go'(SA) method for awake exible bronchoscopic intubation used in combination with conscious sedation. Methods: 60 patients of age group 18 – 65 years with difcult airway undergoing general anaesthesia with nasotracheal intubation, were randomly allocated into two groups. After premedication & nasal preparation, all patients received injection dexmedetomidine at a dose of 1µg/kg in 100ml of 0.9% NS over 10 minutes. In Group SA, 2ml lignocaine 4% was sprayed above and below the cords after visibility of glottic opening via working channel of the bronchoscope and 2 ml lignocaine 4% within trachea before insertion of endotracheal tube. In Group NB, bilateral superior laryngeal nerves & recurrent laryngeal nerve was blocked. Then a exible breoptic bronchoscope preloaded with a exometallic endotracheal tube of appropriate size was then inserted via nasal route. Results: The mean intubation time for Group NB [87.27 ± 7.58 sec] was shorter than that for Group SA [190.33 ± 9.14] (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Awake exible bronchoscopic intubation under sedation with airway nerve block provides better intubating conditions compared to SAYGO

Thyroidectomy: Technique, Tips, and Troubleshooting

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lindsay EY Kuo ◽  
Matthew A. Nehs
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Remote Access ◽  
Postoperative Hypocalcemia ◽  
Minimally Invasive Thyroidectomy ◽  
Perioperative Morbidity ◽  
Postoperative Hematoma ◽  
Thyroid Lobectomy

Historically, thyroidectomy was associated with a high mortality rate, now understood to likely be secondary to postoperative hypocalcemia. In the modern age, perioperative morbidity and mortality rates are extremely low, although some complications, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, can have significant consequences. Understanding the safe approach to total thyroidectomy and thyroid lobectomy is key to minimizing operative morbidity. In particular, the capsular dissection technique facilitates identification and preservation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. The postoperative care of the patient, including diagnosis and management of the more common complications such as hematoma or hypocalcemia, is crucial to optimize patient outcomes. Although novel thyroidectomy techniques have been developed to avoid or minimize the traditional neck incision, these approaches have not become widely used. This review contains 9 figures, 1 table, and 29 references.  Key Words: capsular dissection, external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve, intraoperative nerve monitoring, minimally invasive thyroidectomy, postoperative hematoma, postoperative hoarseness, postoperative hypocalcemia, recurrent laryngeal nerve, remote access thyroidectomy

Effects of Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Transection and Vagotomy on Respiratory Contraction of the Cricothyroid Muscle

1989 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 373-378 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gayle E. Woodson
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Upper Airway ◽  
Vocal Folds ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Airway Occlusion ◽  
Cricothyroid Muscle ◽  
Bilateral Vagotomy ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid

The cricothyroid muscle (CT) appears to be an accessory muscle of respiration. Phasic inspiratory contraction is stimulated by increasing respiratory demand. Reflex activation of the CT may be responsible for the paramedian position of the vocal folds, and hence airway obstruction, in patients with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) paralysis. Previous research has demonstrated the influence of superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) afferents on CT activity. The present study addresses the effects of vagal and RLN afferents. Electromyographic activity of the CT and right posterior cricoarytenoid muscle was monitored in anesthetized cats during tracheotomy breathing and in response to tracheal or upper airway occlusion in the intact animal. This was repeated following left RLN transection, bilateral vagotomy, and bilateral SLN transection. Vagotomy abolished CT response to tracheal occlusion and markedly reduced the response to upper airway occlusion. Vocal fold position following RLN transection appeared to correlate with CT activity; however, observed changes were minor.

Effect of Tension, Stiffness, and Airflow on Laryngeal Resistance in the in Vivo Canine Model

1993 ◽  
Vol 102 (10) ◽  
pp. 761-768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven Bielamowicz ◽  
Joel A. Sercarz ◽  
Gerald S. Berke ◽  
David C. Green ◽  
Jody Kreiman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Canine Model ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Tube Model ◽  
Collapsible Tube ◽  
Data Support ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Laryngeal Resistance

This study used an in vivo canine model of phonation to determine the effects of airflow on glottal resistance at low, medium, and high levels of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) stimulation. Static and dynamic trials of changing airflow were used to study the effects of airflow on glottal resistance during phonation. As reported previously, glottal resistance varies inversely as a function of airflow. Increasing levels of RLN stimulation resulted in a statistically significant increase in glottal resistance for each level of airflow evaluated. Variation in SLN stimulation had no statistically significant effects on the relationship between flow and resistance. At airflow rates greater than 590 milliliters per second (mL/s), glottal resistance approached 0.1 mm Hg per mL/s for all levels of RLN and SLN stimulation tested. These data support the collapsible tube model of phonation.

An anatomical study of the myelination of human laryngeal nerves

2011 ◽  
Vol 125 (12) ◽  
pp. 1263-1267 ◽  
Author(s):  
J C Fleming ◽  
N Gibbins ◽  
P J Ingram ◽  
M Harries
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Cross Sections ◽  
Recovery Of Function ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Anatomical Study ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Clinical Consequence ◽  
Laryngeal Nerves ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Myelinated Fibres

AbstractObjective:To determine the differences in myelination between the human recurrent laryngeal nerve and superior laryngeal nerve.Methods:Fifteen confirmed laryngeal nerve specimens were harvested from five cadavers. Cross-sections were examined under a photomicroscope and morphometric analysis performed.Results:There was a significantly greater number of myelinated fibres than unmyelinated fibres, in both the recurrent laryngeal nerve (p = 0.018) and the superior laryngeal nerve (p = 0.012). There was a significantly greater number of myelinated fibres in the superior laryngeal nerve, compared with the recurrent laryngeal nerve (p = 0.028). However, there was no significant difference in the number of unmyelinated fibres, comparing the two nerves (p = 0.116).Conclusion:These findings support those of previous studies, and provide further evidence against the historical plexus theory of laryngeal nerve morphology. The differences in the degree of myelination, both within and between the human laryngeal nerves, may have clinical consequence regarding recovery of function following nerve injury.

scholarly journals Intraoperative Monitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve during Thyroidectomy: A Standardized Approach (Part 1)

2011 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 144-150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henning Dralle ◽  
Antonio Sitges-Serra ◽  
Peter Angelos ◽  
Manuel C Durán Poveda ◽  
Gianlorenzo Dionigi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Thyroid Surgery ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Surgical Anatomy ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Nerve Monitoring ◽  
Visual Identification ◽  
Current State ◽  
Monitoring Procedure ◽  
Intraoperative Nerve Monitoring

ABSTRACT One of the most feared complications in thyroid surgery is injury to the superior laryngeal nerve or recurrent laryngeal nerve. Neural identification during surgery is insufficient to assess nerve injury. Intraoperative nerve monitoring of the vagal nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery is a new adjunct designed to allow better identification of nerves at risk and therefore reduce complications related to their injury. This new working tool does not substitute adequate surgical technique but merely provides the surgeon with an adjunct to routine visual identification and functional assessment. The use of nerve monitoring requires standardization of the monitoring procedure. Pursuant to this, we will discuss in two related articles the current state of the art standardized technique of nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery. The aim of part 1 is to provide a concise overview of nerve monitoring in thyroid surgery and its effectiveness. This will include a brief review of the surgical anatomy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and the key landmarks used to identify the nerve during surgery. Part 2 will describe how to perform the standardized nerve monitoring in a step by step fashion during thyroid surgery which will diminish variable results and misleading information associated with a nonstandardized nerve monitoring procedure.

scholarly journals Post-thyroidectomy complications in southwestern Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study of a 6-year period

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 369-375
Author(s):  
Dauda Bawa ◽  
Amal Alghamdi ◽  
Hanan Albishi ◽  
Nasser Al-Tufail ◽  
Shashi Prabha Sharma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Saudi Arabia ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Injury ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Thyroid Diseases ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Complications Of Thyroidectomy

BACKGROUND: Thyroidectomy is the surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland for non-neoplastic and neoplastic thyroid diseases. Major postoperative complications of thyroidectomy, including recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, hypocalcemia, and hypothyroidism, are not infrequent. OBJECTIVE: Summarize the frequency of surgical complications of thyroidectomy. DESIGN: Retrospective. SETTING: Secondary health facility in southwestern Saudi Arabia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected data from the records of patients who were managed for thyroid diseases between December 2013 and December 2019. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Complications following thyroidectomy. SAMPLE SIZE: 339 patients, 280 (82.6%) females and 59 (17.4%) males. RESULTS: We found 311 (91.7%) benign and 28 (8.3%) malignant thyroid disorders. Definitive management included 129 (38.1%) total thyroidectomies, 70 (20.6%) hemithyroidectomies, 10 (2.9%) subtotal thyroidectomies and 5 (1.5%) near-total thyroidectomies with 125 (36.9%) patients treated non-surgically. The overall complication rate was 11.3%. There were 4 (1.9%) patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy, 16 (7.5%) patients with temporary hypoparathyroidism, 1 (0.5%) patient with paralysis of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and 3 (1.4%) patients with wound hematoma. CONCLUSION: The rate of complications following thyroidectomy is still high. There is a need for emphasis on comprehensive measures to control the high rate of complications. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective design and no long-term follow up to monitor late complications. CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Thyroid cartilage movements during breathing

1995 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 441-448 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Amis ◽  
A. Brancatisano ◽  
A. Tully
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Thyroid Cartilage ◽  
Superior Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Laryngeal Nerve ◽  
Electromyographic Activity ◽  
Tidal Breathing ◽  
Left And Right ◽  
Posterior Cricoarytenoid ◽  
Stimulation Of

We measured lateral (outward) thyroid cartilage displacement (TCD) of the larynx in six supine anesthetized (intravenous chloralose) dogs. Combined left and right TCDs were measured with linear transducers attached by a thread to the thyroid alae. During tidal breathing via a tracheostomy, phasic inspiratory TCD occurred in all dogs [0.66 +/- 0.2 mm (mean +/- SE)] together with phasic inspiratory electromyographic activity in the cricothyroid (CT) and posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscles. During brief tracheal occlusions, TCD increased significantly to 1.27 +/- 0.2 mm (P = 0.001), accompanied by an increase of 95–115% in the peak CT and PCA electromyograms. Bilateral supramaximal electrical stimulation of the external branches of the superior laryngeal nerve (ExSLN) produced a TCD of 9.9 +/- 0.8 mm; however, similar stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) produced a TCD of only 1.33 +/- 0.1 mm (P = 0.0001). Furthermore, bilateral section of the ExSLN in five dogs significantly reduced tidal TCD by 48.7 +/- 24.4% (P < 0.05), and bilateral section of both the ExSLN and RLN resulted in slight phasic inward TCD (-0.06 +/- 0.05 mm). Thus, it appears that the activities of both the CT and RLN-innervated muscles (probably the PCA muscle) contribute to tidal breathing TCD. These findings suggest that inspiratory dilation of the hypopharynx is mediated by contractions of CT and PCA muscles.

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