Thyroarytenoid Muscle Avulsion

Philip J Maxwell; Daniel Eichorn; Robert T Sataloff

doi:10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.03.008

Thyroarytenoid Muscle Avulsion

J Voice. 2023 Apr 1:S0892-1997(23)00102-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.03.008. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Philip J Maxwell¹, Daniel Eichorn², Robert T Sataloff³

Affiliations

¹ Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
² Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
³ Department of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, USA. Electronic address: rtsataloff@phillyent.com.

PMID: 37012094
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2023.03.008

Abstract

Thyroarytenoid muscle avulsion is a rare condition in which laryngeal trauma causes a separation of the thyroarytenoid muscle from the arytenoid cartilage. Typically, symptoms are nonspecific but include severe dysphonia and voice fatigue. They are similar to symptoms of vocal process avulsion. Strobovideolaryngoscopy, laryngeal electromyography, and laryngeal computed tomography may be helpful in diagnosis. However, intraoperative palpation under general anesthesia is the most definitive way to establish its diagnosis. We present two cases of thyroarytenoid muscle avulsion, a condition that has not been described previously. Surgical techniques for repair are detailed.

Keywords: Dysphonia—Laryngeal trauma—Thyroarytenoid muscle avulsion—Vocal process avulsion.