Serial transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography in intensive care unit for assessment of vocal cord palsy: a case report

Abstract

A direct laryngoscopy is currently the standard method for diagnosing RLN (Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve) paralysis after thyroid or parathyroid surgery but this procedure can be uncomfortable for patients and may cause undesirable changes in vital signs. A 40 years old female after a total thyroidectomy was assumed to have a bilateral vocal cord palsy on direct laryngoscopy after surgery. Patient was shifted to intensive care unit (ICU) on ventilatory support. We used serial transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography in the ICU for assessing the vocal cord functions along with conservative management. After 3 days, we were able to safely extubate the trachea and tracheostomy was avoided.