Cervical ultrasound for the evaluation of the vocal cords: A pilot study in an endocrine surgery unit

Cervical ultrasound (CE) has emerged as a promising tool in recent years for vocal cord (VC) assessment in patients undergoing thyroid surgery. Our aim is to assess the reliability of CE once implemented in an endocrine surgery unit and performed by the surgeons themselves.

86 participants with no history of laryngeal pathology or cervical surgery underwent CE by three independent endocrine surgeons. Laryngeal structures and specifically the VCs were analysed. To consider the examination as diagnostic, the VCs had to be visualised statically and during phonation. The time taken to perform the technique and the interobserver variability were also analysed.

Of the 86 participants, 51.2% were male with a mean age of 43 years. The range of diagnostic examinations between surgeons was 60-68%, with substantial agreement between the 3 explorers (Fleiss's K-value = .714). Male sex and advanced age were factors associated with non-assessability of the technique. The mean procedure time was 72 s.

CE is a fast, non-invasive, feasible bedside tool useful for the assessment of VCs prior to thyroid surgery, mainly in young women.