Optical coherence tomography in the laryngeal arytenoid mucosa for documentation of pharmacological treatments and genetic aspects: a protocol

Abstract

Background: Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an imaging technology that provides cross-sectional images of subsurface tissue structures in the larynx without biopsy. Focus has until now been on the vocal folds. Since many kinds of mucosal disorders can be defined in the arytenoid regions behind the vocal folds, and not on the vocal folds, we focus on this area in this protocol. Objective: A superficial oedema, grading 1Á5 of the arytenoid regions, can be made with high-speed films of 4,000 pictures/ sec. A supplementary larynx set up with a clinical probe for OCT with cross-sectional measures can be made with a description of the levels of oedema and other parameters. Design: Adult patients with subjective complaints of hoarseness or a problem in the larynx related to voice and swallowing for more than 6 weeks participated in a randomised-controlled study. Perspective and conclusion: With this new OCT probe for the larynx arytenoid region, compared with high-speed films, we will be able to define pathological areas in the arytenoid mucosa as a future documentation of pharmacological treatment and genetics-related lifestyle advice.

Ultra-High-Resolution (UHR) Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) in the Upper Airways: Aspect of Combined High-Speed Films and UHR OCT in the Larynx

“…We have earlier made a paper on OCT [1] in the clinic, because we needed some kind of evidence based objective documentation for especially pharmacological treatments. OCT might be a possibility for an office-based approach during phonation.…”