Ultrasound imaging of the larynx and vocal folds: recent applications and developments

This article reviews recent clinical applications of ultrasound imaging in laryngeal examinations and new developments in imaging techniques for laryngeal tissue characterization.

The B-mode image has become a popular tool for identifying masses, lesions, and nodules at the vocal folds, and combining the B-scan with Doppler imaging makes it possible to also evaluate their functionality. The B-mode image has been used to diagnose lesions and paralysis in vocal folds in children, and to evaluate nerve function by visualizing the structure of the larynx and the movement of the bilateral vocal folds. Ultrasound Nakagami imaging based on the statistics of backscattered signals is a new parametric imaging method that complements the conventional B-scan for tissue characterization. Nakagami imaging is a functional ultrasound imaging tool for visualizing the relative concentrations of collagen and elastic fibers, which are key factors influencing the biomechanical properties of the vocal folds.

Future clinical applications could combine conventional B-mode and Nakagami images to allow physicians to simultaneously evaluate the morphology and scatterer properties of laryngeal tissues.