CT Study of the Arytenoid Cartilage in Patients with Laryngeal Contact Granuloma

Abstract

Objective To explore high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) characteristics of arytenoid cartilage in patients with laryngeal contact granuloma (LCG). Setting Tertiary hospitals. Study Design Individual case-control study. Methods HRCT scans were obtained before treatment from 42 patients with LCG. Similar scans were obtained from 50 patients with glottic laryngeal cancer or vocal cord leukoplakia without vocal process involvement. Results Forty-two male patients with LCG were enrolled in the study. There were 41 patients with unilateral vocal cord lesions, and 1 patient had bilateral lesions. All 50 eligible patients in the laryngeal lesion group were men. There were 39 patients with unilateral lesions, and 11 had bilateral lesions. The rate of arytenoid cartilage sclerosis in the LCG group was 79.07% (34/43) on the lesion side and 7.32% (3/41) on the healthy side. In the laryngeal lesion group, the rate of arytenoid cartilage sclerosis was 13.11% (8/61) on the lesion side and 2.56% (1/39) on the healthy side. The rate of arytenoid cartilage sclerosis on the lesion side of patients with LCG was significantly higher than on the healthy side of patients with LCG and significantly higher than both the healthy and lesion sides of patients with laryngeal lesions ( P < .001). Conclusions Arytenoid cartilage sclerosis was observed on the lesion side in most patients with LCG, and the presence of sclerosis may support the diagnosis of LCG.

Noninvasive Detection of Arytenoid Cartilage Calcification Using Computed Tomography and Prediction of Prognosis in Laryngeal Contact Granuloma

“…The presence of calcification may support the diagnosis of LCG, and this finding is consistent with our conclusion. 8 Limited studies have focused on the relationship between the extent of arytenoid cartilage calcification in LCG and the possible future recurrence of granulomas. A correlation of CT gray values in HU and biomechanical properties has been shown.…”

“…7 Similarly, Li et al recently found calcification on arytenoid cartilage in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans in 43 cases of idiopathic vocal process granuloma lesions (cases of intubation granuloma were excluded). 8 Thus, it may be important to evaluate the therapeutic strategy and prognosis of post-surgical recurrent LCG by investigating the morphological and histological characteristics of arytenoid cartilage calcification before surgery and calculating its severity.…”