Clinical Practicability of a Newly Developed Real-time Digital Kymographic System

A digital kymogram shows real images of vocal fold vibration. However, DKG is difficult to use in clinical practice because the recorded image cannot be seen instantaneously after examination, as considerable encoding time is required to visualize a digital kymogram. In addition, frame-by frame analysis should be implemented to evaluate high-speed videoendoscopy data, but is time- and labor-intensive.

The purpose of the study was to validate the clinical practicability of a real-time multislice digital kymographic system developed by the authors. We analyzed the promptness and accuracy of the examination before and after intracordal injections in patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

To assess the clinical applicability of this system, six patients with unilateral vocal fold paralysis were selected. Real-time DKG was performed before and immediately after intracordal injection. We observed changes in the digital kymogram after the intracordal injection.

Using this system, 10 scanning lines and up to five vertical pixel row could be obtained in real time, and the maximum acquisition time for the DKG image was 10 seconds. A digital kymogram of the patients could be instantaneously acquired, and whether the intracordal injection was appropriate or not.

This article is the first validation study after the development of the real-time multislice digital kymographic system. Our system may be a promising tool in clinical practice for immediate assessment of the vibratory patterns of the vocal cords. More research is necessary for further clinical validation.