Daily Dose ENT

7/1/2013

Answers:

The left recurrent laryngeal loops around----, the right recurrent laryngeal loops around----, after which both run in----.
A) Ligamentum arteriosum, subclavian artery, the tracheoesophageal groove 
B) Aorta, subclavian artery, the tracheoesophageal groove 
C) Subclavian artery, Ligamentum arteriosum, the tracheoesophageal groove 
D) Ligamentum arteriosum, subclavian artery, posterior to the esophagus 
E) Subclavian artery, ligamentum arteriosum, posterior to the esophagus

What muscle is the sole abductor of the vocal cords?

The Posterior Cricoarytenoid

MC Question:
A patient presents to your clinic with complaints of a change in her voice over the past three months. She appears to have a weak voice, which gets worse with use. She does not smoke, denies hemoptysis, dyspnea or cough. She states that she recently underwent surgery and points to a scar on her neck. When performing laryngoscopy what would you expect to see?

A) A vocal cord nodule 

B) A vocal cord polyp 

C) A single vocal cord in the intermediate position 

D) A single vocal cord in the cadaveric position 

E) A single vocal cord in the paramedian position

Free Response Questions:
With regards to recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, which is more commonly injured. LRLN or RRLN? Why?

Quick Facts:
Surgical Treatment for Vocal Fold Paralysis
-Dynamic = reinnervation/laryngeal pacing.
-Static = medialize cord.
-Injection laryngoplasty = often collagen/vox/hydroxyapatite/fat
-Laryngeal framework=place silastic implant via thyroid window.