Transcutaneous Laryngeal Ultrasonography for the Assessment of Vocal Cord Mobility before and after Thyroidectomy

Background: Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasonography (TLUS) has emerged as a promising non-invasive method for assessing vocal cord mobility, offering advantages over tradi-tional laryngoscopy, particularly in scenarios where patient dis-comfort or risks are a concern. Aim of Study: This study aimed to evaluate the role of transcutaneous ultrasonography in assessing vocal cord mobil-ity before and after thyroidectomy, highlighting its utility in di-agnosing vocal fold paralysis or paresis. Patients and Methods: Vocal fold displacement from the midline was analyzed across various conditions in patients undergoing thyroidectomy. Vocal fold displacement veloc-ity (VFDV) was measured to assess vocal fold functionality. TLUS diagnostic accuracy was evaluated for identifying vocal fold paralysis. Results: TLUS demonstrated high sensitivity and specific-ity for detecting vocal fold paralysis, with significant reductions in VFDV post-thyroidectomy. The correlation between VFDV and dysphonia scores suggested potential associations between vocal fold mobility and voice quality, warranting further inves-tigation. Conclusion: TLUS emerges as a reliable, non-invasive alternative to laryngoscopy for evaluating vocal cord mobility in thyroidectomy patients. Its capacity for quantitative assess-ments and diagnostic precision enhances clinical decision-mak-ing and patient management.