Utility of spiral computed tomography in the study of dislocation of cricoarytenoid joint

Summary

The cricoarytenoid relationship presented with spiral computed tomography was demonstrated and the reconstruction of arytenoid dislocation was presented by using multiplanar reconstruction algorithms. Fifteen patients with arytenoid dislocation documented by fiberoptic laryngoscopy and strobovideolaryngoscopy and 10 normal persons were displayed by spiral computed tomography (CT). A making design of our own had been used to diagnose arytenoid dislocation on axial CT image. Results showed that dislocation of cricoarytenoid joint was consistently demonstrated on several of the overlapping thin axial reconstructions in each of the 15 patients, in whom asymmetry of the bilateral cricoarytenoid joints was noted on axial images. It was found that on the glottic-fissure level the basal angle on abnormal side was larger in 8 patients than that on the normal side and smaller in 7 patients in patient group, whereas right basal angle was equal to the left in 8 subjects, except 2 in control group. There was statistically significant difference in the number of the equal to two basal angles of glottic fissure between control group and patient group (P<0.025). High-quality sagittal and coronal reconstructive images often were helpful in confirming or clarifying the complex arytenoid orientations. The findings that two-side basal angle was not equal in triangle of glottic fissure can be used as an objective parameter to diagnose arytenoid dislocation. Spiral CT is a useful adjunct in the diagnosis and treatment of dislocation of cricoarytenoid joint.