Clinical usefulness of transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography in otolaryngology practice during COVID-19 pandemic: a literature review

Abstract

As a consequence of the outbreak of SARS-CoV-2, the clinical practice of otolaryngologists underwent profound transformations. Non-aerosol-generating procedures have been researched and implemented. Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography (TLUSG) provides a rapid and noninvasive method to assess laryngeal function and can support the management of laryngeal disorders. With the aim of investigating the clinical usefulness of TLUSG in otolaryngology practice, a review of the literature published on PubMed, Cochrane Library and Ovid/ Medline databases was performed up to March 2022. 38 studies were eligible to be included in the review. The selected papers were divided into six topics of interest: evaluation of vocal cords function, diagnosis of laryngeal disorders in infants and children, evaluation of swallowing disorders, assessment of laryngeal cancer and other laryngeal lesions, ultrasound-guided cricothyroidotomy, ultrasound-guided laryngeal electromyography. The results of this review demonstrated that TLUSG, applied to ENT practice, can be a valid method for dynamic laryngeal assessment and airway management, since it is time-efficient, non invasive, well tolerated and easily performed.

Laryngeal Ganglioneuromatosis in a Child With Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 2B (MEN2B): Case Report and Review of Literature

“…Imaging modalities aimed at reducing aerosol generation during the COVID-19 pandemic, while visualizing the vocal cords to detect laryngeal abnormalities, include laryngeal ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [ 10 - 11 ]. Mucosal laryngeal neuromas can potentially compromise the airway in patients with MEN2B.…”

“…The vocal cord neuroma in our patient was discovered incidentally and after subtotal resection, the patient is without symptoms of airway obstruction at 18 months follow-up. Imaging modalities aimed at reducing aerosol generation during the COVID-19 pandemic, while visualizing the vocal cords to detect laryngeal abnormalities, include laryngeal ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [10][11]. Mucosal laryngeal neuromas can potentially compromise the airway in patients with MEN2B.…”