Reconstruction of Vocal Fold Medial Surface 3D Trajectories: Effects of Neuromuscular Stimulation and Airflow

Schlegel P, Chung HR, Döllinger M, Chhetri DK (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Laryngoscope Wiley-Blackwell

DOI: 10.1002/lary.31029

Abstract

Introduction: Analysis of medial surface dynamics of the vocal folds (VF) is critical to understanding voice production and treatment of voice disorders. We analyzed VF medial surface vibratory dynamics, evaluating the effects of airflow and nerve stimulation using 3D reconstruction and empirical eigenfunctions (EEF). Study Design: In vivo canine hemilarynx phonation. Methods: An in vivo canine hemilarynx was phonated while graded stimulation of the recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves (RLN and SLN) was performed. For each phonatory condition, vibratory cycles were 3D reconstructed from tattooed landmarks on the VF medial surface at low, medium, and high airflows. Parameters describing medial surface trajectory shape were calculated, and underlying patterns were emphasized using EEFs. Fundamental frequency and smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) were calculated from acoustic data. Results: Convex-hull area of landmark trajectories increased with increasing flow and decreasing nerve activation level. Trajectory shapes observed included circular, ellipsoid, bent, and figure-eight. They were more circular on the superior and anterior VF, and more elliptical and line-like on the inferior and posterior VF. The EEFs capturing synchronal opening and closing (EEF1) and alternating convergent/divergent (EEF2) glottis shapes were mostly unaffected by flow and nerve stimulation levels. CPPS increased with higher airflow except for low RLN activation and very dominant SLN stimulation. Conclusion: We analyzed VF vibration as a function of neuromuscular stimulation and airflow levels. Oscillation patterns such as figure-eight and bent trajectories were linked to high nerve activation and flow. Further studies investigating longer sections of 3D reconstructed oscillations are needed. Level of Evidence: N/A, Basic Science Laryngoscope, 2023.

Authors with CRIS profile

Michael Döllinger Professur für Computational Medicine (DFG-Forschungsprofessur)

Involved external institutions

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) US United States (USA) (US)

How to cite

APA:

Schlegel, P., Chung, H.R., Döllinger, M., & Chhetri, D.K. (2023). Reconstruction of Vocal Fold Medial Surface 3D Trajectories: Effects of Neuromuscular Stimulation and Airflow. Laryngoscope. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31029

MLA:

Schlegel, Patrick, et al. "Reconstruction of Vocal Fold Medial Surface 3D Trajectories: Effects of Neuromuscular Stimulation and Airflow." Laryngoscope (2023).

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