Glottographic measures of vocal fold vibration: an examination of laryngeal paralysis

Photoglottography and electroglottography were applied to groups of patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, superior laryngeal nerve paralysis, and combined recurrent and superior laryngeal nerve paralyses of idiopathic causes. Individual patients with resection of the vagal nerve above the origin of the superior laryngeal nerve were also studied. Open Quotient and Speed Quotient were calculated from the photoglottography signals. Speed Quotient values significantly differentiated recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis from idiopathic paralysis and superior laryngeal nerve paralysis, as well as from normal function. Data from patients with vagal resection clearly differentiated them from patients with recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The measure of Open Quotient distinguished pathological phonation from normal, but was not as useful for separation of differing lesions. Electroglottography appeared to be less useful than photoglottography. The pathophysiology underlying the observed glottographic signals is discussed.