Ultrasound-Guided vs. Conventional Needle Puncture: A Comparative Study of Success Rates.

Purpose: This study aims to compare the puncture success rates and procedural efficiency between ultrasound-guided and conventional (non-ultrasound) methods in laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) to evaluate the clinical benefits of ultrasound guidance.

Methods: A self-controlled study design was used in this research. Nineteen patients underwent LEMG using both conventional and ultrasound-guided techniques. In the conventional method, the laryngologist performed needle punctures in the cricothyroid and thyroarytenoid muscles based on experience, with ultrasound only observing and recording. In the ultrasound-guided method, the sonologist actively guided the laryngologist during the needle puncture. Puncture success rates and examination times were compared between the two techniques, while electromyographic recordings were analyzed by neurophysiologists.

Results: Ultrasound successfully visualized all cricothyroid muscles (38 sides) and thyroarytenoid muscles (38 sides). Compared to the conventional method, Ultrasound-guided LEMG achieved a higher success rate (97.43% vs. 88.15%, p < 0.05, Chi-square test) and reduced examination time (3.81 ± 0.61 min vs. 5.54 ± 0.52 min, p < 0.001, Paired t-tests).

Conclusions: Ultrasound can provide detailed visualization of the laryngeal structures. Ultrasound guidance significantly reduces examination time and improves puncture accuracy in LEMG, demonstrating its high clinical value.