Visualization and Estimation of Vibratory Disturbance in Vocal Fold Scar Using High-Speed Digital Imaging

To explore the method to visualize and quantify the abnormality of vocal fold vibration in vocal fold scar (VFS) using high-speed digital imaging (HSDI).

HSDI was performed on 12 patients (2 men and 10 women) with VFS and 46 vocally healthy subjects (17 men and 29 women), and the obtained data were quantitatively evaluated by frame-by-frame analysis, laryngotopography (LTG), single-line and multiline kymography, and glottal area waveform.

Visualization of a scarred area was feasible in 75% of VFS in the present study using LTG. Quantitative HSDI analysis revealed that VFS had poorer glottal closure (eg, larger open quotients, larger minimal glottal area), reduced vibration in a scarred area (eg, smaller mucosal wave magnitude, mucosal wave persistence, lateral peak index), and greater asymmetry (eg, amplitude difference, mucosal wave magnitude difference, lateral phase difference) than the control group. Correlation study revealed moderate correlations between HSDI-derived parameters and conventional acoustic or aerodynamic parameters (eg, period perturbation quotient).

HSDI is considered to be useful in the diagnosis of VFS, visualization of a scarred area, and quantification of vibratory abnormality.