ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LARYNX: NOVEL USE DURING THE SARS COV 2 PANDEMIC (REVIEW)
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EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE 21: 273, 2021
Ultrasonography of the larynx: Novel use during
the SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic (Review)
ROMICA CERGAN1, MIHAI DUMITRU1, DANIELA VRINCEANU2, ADRIANA NEAGOS3,
IONUT ISAIA JEICAN4 and RADU CONSTANTIN CIULUVICA1
1
Department of Anatomy, ‘Carol Davila’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest; 2ENT Department,
Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, 010271 Bucharest; 3ENT Department, ‘George Emil Palade’
University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540139 Târgu Mureș;
4
Department of Anatomy, ‘Iuliu Hatieganu’ University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj, Romania
Received October 12, 2020; Accepted November 10, 2020
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9704
Abstract. Few articles have been published on the subject of 1. Introduction
laryngeal ultrasonography. However, considering the increased
power and accuracy of ultrasound technology, this imaging If one would query international databases using search words
modality should be reevaluated. The present review aimed such as larynx and ultrasound, they would find 17 free full text
to increase the awareness of fellow specialists regarding the articles on the subject of ultrasonography of the larynx. One
use of this imaging tool in healthcare units that do not benefit of the first articles on this subject was published in 1987 by
from onsite ear, nose and throat (ENT) service. We illustrate Raghavendra et al (1). They analyzed 41 healthy volunteers,
the ultrasonographic examination protocol for the larynx concluding that sonography may prove to be a potentially
along with the relevant anatomic landmarks. We review cases useful technique for the examination of the vocal cords. An
with laryngeal tumoral pathology that underwent ultrasono‑ analysis of 229 healthy volunteers by Hu et al (2) revealed that
graphic examination for improved management. All findings high frequency sonography can quantitatively measure both
were confirmed through computerized tomography (CT) and true and false vocal cords with good reliability and reproduc‑
endoscopy performed by the ENT specialist. The ultrasound ibility. A detailed anatomical study of the upper airway was
of the larynx has potential utility in diagnosis (e.g., laryngeal performed by Singh et al (3), with potential utility in diag‑
abnormalities, speech and swallowing abnormalities, iden‑ nosis (e.g., laryngeal abnormalities, speech and swallowing
tification of endotracheal tube placement), treatment (e.g., abnormalities, identification of endotracheal tube placement),
guidance of percutaneous tracheostomy and cricothyrotomy) treatment [e.g., guidance of percutaneous tracheostomy and
and prognosis (e.g., prediction of postextubation stridor and cricothyrotomy (4)], and prognosis [e.g., prediction of postex‑
difficult intubation). This imaging modality could be useful in tubation stridor (5) and difficult intubation]. We are still at
the current SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemics in reducing the exposure the level of using ultrasound for analyzing healthy volunteers
to invasive maneuvers producing aerosol, such as endoscopy. in order to ascertain whether there are gender differences in
vocal cord size and that there is no correlation between vocal
cord measurements and individual body mass index (BMI) (6).
Contents In a preliminary bedside study, sonography was used for
diagnosing acute epiglottitis in the emergency department (7).
1. Introduction Ultrasound examination proved especially useful in managing
2. Aims of the ultrasonography of the larynx during the post intubation larynx traumas (8). Moreover, real‑time
SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic high‑resolution ultrasonography was used to assess the status
3. Anatomical basis of thyroglossal duct cysts by the ENT surgeon firsthand (9).
4. Ultrasonographic findings in laryngeal pathology Finally, the utility of sonography for evaluation of clinical T1
5. Conclusions and T2 glottic carcinoma has been proven (10).
2. Aims of the ultrasonography of the larynx during the
SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic
Correspondence to: Dr Daniela Vrinceanu, ENT Department,
Bucharest Emergency University Hospital, Aleea Lunguletu 2, The ultrasonography of the larynx is a diagnostic imaging
010271 Bucharest, Romania modality that is rather neglected due to the lack of experi‑
E‑mail: vrinceanudana@yahoo.com ence and the proximity of ENT departments that can perform
endoscopic diagnosis of laryngeal pathology. However, in
Key words: ultrasound, larynx, ENT, SARS‑CoV‑2, COVID‑19 an emergency setting, a simple visualization of the larynx
could be implemented as a quick extension to any FAST‑like
2 CERGAN et al: ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LARYNX
Figure 1. Longitudinal midline view of the larynx. H, hyoid bone; E, epiglottis; T, thyroid cartilage; C, cricoid cartilage; G, thyroid gland isthmus; TRAH,
trachea.
Figure 2. Transverse view at the level of vestibular folds. MPL, anterior muscles of the neck; T, thyroid; V, vestibular folds.
protocol. We hope to increase the awareness of the scientific cartilage (C), thyroid gland isthmus (G) and trachea (TRAH)
community regarding this imaging tool that in the future, (Fig. 1).
after a thorough validation and standardization, could lower Fig. 2 illustrates the vestibular folds in transverse view:
the associated costs of other investigations. Furthermore, MPL, anterior muscles of the neck; T, thyroid cartilage and V,
current guidelines encourage reducing the use of aerosol vestibular folds.
producing procedures, such as laryngeal endoscopy during the The vocal cords are visualized in Fig. 3 in transverse view:
SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic. Laryngeal ultrasound could lower MPL, anterior muscles of the neck; T, thyroid cartilage; CV,
the risk of ENT specialists in contracting the COVID‑19 viral vocal cords and ARI, arytenoid cartilage.
infection.
4. Ultrasonographic findings in laryngeal pathology
3. Anatomical basis
There are many sonography signs and anatomy landmarks
We reviewed cases with laryngeal pathology that received that need to be explained, illustrated, and understood by clini‑
ultrasound examination. All cases had ultrasonographic find‑ cians before relying on ultrasound diagnosis at the level of the
ings confirmed by CT and underwent surgery with subsequent larynx.
pathology diagnosis. All images presented in this review Any imaging modality should be valuable in visualizing
come from patients admitted to a tertiary ENT department. the extent of the tumor. In a 50‑year‑old male patient presenting
All patients signed an informed consent form in compliance with breathing difficulty and impaired swallowing, ENT exam
with the Declaration of Helsinki and current Good Clinical revealed a tumor comprising the epiglottis and extending into
Practice. the larynx. The CT showed that the tumor extended from the
We used a Sonoscape S2 machine with a linear probe in epiglottis downwards to the level of the cricoid cartilage. The
order to examine the patients with laryngeal pathology. The ultrasonographic exam confirmed the complete neoplastic
patient was examined in a horizontal position with the head in change in the content of the larynx. All these findings were
hyperextension. The first step included a longitudinal midline confirmed through total laryngectomy (Figs. 4 and 5).
view of the larynx and trachea with direct inspection of the Fig. 6 comprises serial transverse images of a 70‑year‑old
hyoid bone (H), epiglottis (E), thyroid cartilage (T), cricoid patient, presenting a pharyngolaryngeal tumor invading the
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE 21: 273, 2021 3
Figure 3. Ultrasonographic view of the vocal cords. MPL, anterior muscles of the neck; T, thyroid cartilage; CV, vocal cords; ARI, arytenoid cartilage.
Figure 4. Endolaryngeal tumor computerized tomography (CT) and ultra‑
Figure 6. Upper view of the tumor at the base of the tongue and epiglottis,
sound (US) view.
middle view of the tumor at the level of the vestibular folds and lower view of
the tumor invading the vocal cord.
Figure 5. Resection piece and microscopy pathology result, squamous carci‑ Figure 7. Microscopy pathology result, acantholytic squamous carcinoma,
noma, in the same case as shown in Fig. 4. H&E; magnification, x100. H&E, from the same case as shown in Fig. 6. H&E magnification, x100. H&E,
hematoxylin and eosin. hematoxylin and eosin.
base of the tongue, the epiglottis and extending downwards of the left vocal cord. The pathology result confirmed an acan‑
through the vestibular folds until the level of the anterior part tholytic squamous laryngeal carcinoma (Fig. 7).
4 CERGAN et al: ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE LARYNX
Figure 8. Vocal fold paresis confirmed through ultrasound (US).
Another situation is that of an external mass effect. A Funding
66‑year‑old woman with a history of thyroid pathology that
neglected endocrinology treatment presented with a giant No funding was received.
tumor comprising the left thyroid lobe and extending to adja‑
cent structures. CT raised the suspicion of vocal fold paresis. Availability of data and material
This was confirmed through ultrasonography and endoscopy
with subsequent biopsy (Fig. 8). The patient was referred to All data generated or analyzed during this study are included
oncologic palliative care. in this published article.
Moreover, laryngeal ultrasound has a promising use in
trauma departments enabling quick analysis of the motility of Authors' contributions
the vocal cords (11).
SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic changed current diagnosis and RC and MD contributed substantially to the conception and
treatment protocols worldwide, minimizing the use of aerosol design of the study, the acquisition, analysis and interpretation
producing maneuvers, such as indirect or direct flexible laryn‑ of the data, and were involved in the drafting of the manu‑
goscopy, at least until the development of a safe vaccine (12,13). script. DV and AN contributed substantially to the acquisition,
analysis and interpretation of the data and were involved in the
5. Conclusions drafting of the manuscript. RCC and IIJ contributed substan‑
tially to the acquisition of the data and were involved in the
The ultrasonographic imaging of the larynx is a rather critical revisions of the manuscript for important intellectual
neglected imaging tool, mainly due to CT and magnetic content. All authors agreed to be accountable for all aspects of
resonance imaging (MRI) being accessible. However, ultra‑ the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or
sonography is valuable in emergency room settings as an integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated
extension of FAST protocols in neck trauma. This review and resolved. All authors read and approved the final version
confirmed the fact that ultrasound enables indirect examina‑ of the manuscript.
tion of the vocal cords even by doctors of other specialties
other than ENT surgeons. Moreover, ultrasound was used in Ethics approval and consent to participate
cases where further information was required for the manage‑
ment of the case, minimizing the costs associated with other The information concerning the patients followed the inter‑
advanced imaging modalities. Needless to mention the fact national regulations in accordance with the Declaration of
that ultrasonography is fast, nonradiating and permits serial Helsinki.
real‑time examination of the patient. Further studies are
needed in order to gather data concerning the sensitivity and Patient consent for publication
specificity of this imaging modality. New guidelines issued
during the SARS‑CoV‑2 pandemic recommend reducing the Patient informed consent for publication of the data/images
use of aerosol producing procedures, such as video endoscopy. associated with the manuscript was obtained. The authors
Laryngeal ultrasound could be used to prevent the exposure of followed the international and national regulations in accor‑
ENT specialists to COVID‑19. dance with the Declaration of Helsinki and all identifying
information was removed.
Acknowledgements
Competing interests
Professional editing, linguistic and technical assistance
performed by Irina Radu, Individual Service Provider. The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
EXPERIMENTAL AND THERAPEUTIC MEDICINE 21: 273, 2021 5
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