Usefulness of high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of oedematous - hypertrophic changes of the larynx in people using voice occupationally.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study is the evaluation of the usefulness of High-Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa, morphologically confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) method in patients working with voice occupationally.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: The group consisted of 30 patients working with voice occupationally with oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa. Parameters of vocal folds vibrations were evaluated using HSDI technique with a digital HS camera, HRES Endocam Richard Wolf GmbH. The image of vocal folds was recorded with a rate of 4000 frames per second. Postoperative material of the larynx was prepared in a routine way and observed in transmission electron microscope OPTON 900-PC.

RESULTS: HSDI technique allows to assess the real vibrations of vocal folds and determine many parameters. The results of TEM in the postoperative material showed destruction of epithelial cells with severe vacuolar degeneration, the enlargement of intercellular spaces and a large number of blood vessels in the stroma, which indicates the presence of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of the larynx.

DISCUSSION: The ultrastructural assessment confirm the particular usefulness of HSDI method in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes. Key words: High-Speed Digital Imaging, oedematous-hypertrophic changes, vocal fold mucosa, larynx.