Laryngeal Evaluation during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Transcervical Laryngeal Ultrasonography. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Noel, Julia E.; Orloff, Lisa A.; Sung, Kwang
• Is Part Of: Otolaryngology--head and neck surgery. Volume 163:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 51
• Page End: 53
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: coronavirus -- COVID-19 -- vocal cord paralysis -- vocal cord paresis -- laryngeal evaluation -- laryngeal ultrasound; Head -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Neck -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; 617.51
• DOI: 10.1177/0194599820922984
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0194-5998

Abstract

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has quickly become a global pandemic since its initial outbreak in China in late 2019. Institutions are faced with the challenge of upholding the standard of care while maintaining safety for health care personnel and patients. Due to the common performance of aerosol-generating endoscopic procedures in the upper respiratory tract, otolaryngologists are at uniquely high risk for potential infection. When possible, alternative diagnostic and treatment strategies should be pursued. For patients suspected of having functional laryngeal abnormalities, transcervical laryngeal ultrasound provides a rapid and noninvasive evaluation of vocal fold motion to inform decisions about safety of feeding, airway, and progression of care.