High-speed video endoscopy to improve the diagnosis of voice disorders

 

Introduction A voice disorder causes a significant loss of quality of life. Today, stroboscopy is the standard diagnostic method. Causes are incomplete glottis closure and/or irregular, aperiodic vocal fold oscillations, which can only be made visible to a limited extent by stroboscopy.

Methods High-speed video endoscopy (HSV) is a new examination method that significantly improves the temporal resolution and thus allows a clearer assessment of vocal fold vibrations. Current, clinically applicable HSV systems allow a temporal representation of 4000-8000 images per second with sufficiently good spatial resolution. Using image processing, it is possible to calculate quantitative parameters regarding the vocal fold vibration characteristics (i.e. glottis closure, periodicity, symmetry).

Results The presented high-speed system (OpenHSV) in combination with the analysis software "Glottis Analysis Tools" (GAT) allows both the visualisation and the quantification of the disturbance of vocal fold vibrations. The HSV thus provides objective support in making a diagnosis and assessing the course of therapy.

Conclusions HSV is a new innovative method that allows quantitative analysis and thus better diagnosis of voice disorders. For example, both phonatory vocal fold arrest, which is crucial for distinguishing between simple leukoplakia or carcinoma in situ or carcinoma, and irregular oscillations in functional dysphonia can be assessed more accurately and appropriate therapy can be initiated.

DFG Sachbeihilfe SCHU3441/3-2 und DO1247/8-2

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022

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