Vocal Fold Paresis/Paralysis: Frontiers

Key Glossary Terms

Paresis
Partial paralysis; partial loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in muscle weakness

Paralysis
Complete loss of nerve input to a muscle resulting in complete loss of muscle function

Laryngeal Electromyography (LEMG)
Test that measures electrical signals of nerve inputs to muscles

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN)
Branch of vagus nerve to voice box muscles that open and close vocal folds

Superior Laryngeal Nerve (SLN)
Branch of vagus nerve to cricothyroid muscle involved in control of pitch

Glossary

New implants and injections for surgical intervention are developed quite frequently and some are providing more consistent results.

Re-establishing nerve inputs to the voice box muscles, laryngeal re-innervation, is not yet a viable treatment option, but significant advances and research are under way. Laryngeal re-innervation would be optimal because it would, in theory, allow the paralyzed vocal fold to be able to move or become dynamic again. This would be a significant improvement from the present adynamic, "re-positioning" approach available today.

Transferring of nerves (nerve transposition): involves taking nerve and muscle from another part of the body and grafting the new nerve into the paralyzed vocal fold. The hope is that this healthy nerve would grow to the point where it could deliver signals and messages from the brain on a consistent basis – and thus improve voice.