Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn
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Ann Oto Rhinol Laryn · Mar 1997
Role of ultrasound in the assessment of vocal cord function in infants and children.
The determination of the cause of stridor in the infant and child is an important directive for the otolaryngologist. The limitations of current clinical diagnostic techniques have provided the impetus for pursuing newer, more practical techniques to diagnose vocal cord paralysis in children. The purpose of this paper is to describe a new technique to image the larynx and determine its role in discerning vocal cord paralysis in children. ⋯ This investigation should not be interpreted as an endorsement for laryngeal ultrasound as a replacement for endoscopy in children. This work does indicate, however, that ultrasound is a technique that can accurately address the special issue of vocal cord mobility in infants and children. At present, this is the primary use for laryngeal ultrasound, although with additional investigation and sophistication it is likely that ultrasound of the larynx may become useful for other purposes.