Abstract
Laryngostroboscopy is one of the most useful clinical examination techniques in laryngology. We performed clinical tests of a trial laryngostroboscope system along with a videoendoscope.
The system is composed of a videoendoscope, a video processor (PENTAX, EPK-700), a laryngostroboscope (Nagashima, LS-3A), a video recorder and a color printer. The videoendoscope has a small color charge coupled device (CCD) chip built into the tip of the endoscope. The outer diameter of the tip of this scope is 4.1mm. The endoscope was inserted through the nasal passage. Compared with Laryngostroboscopy using conventional flexible fiberscopy or rigid endoscopy, this system has several advantages. The videoendoscope shows clear, dynamic color images on a video monitor and provides excellent resolution and recording, and thus leading to its high diagnostic accuracy. The patient is allowed to phonate holding a normal head position thereby producing varying vocalization in a habitual and normal manner during examination. The diameter of this videoendoscope is relatively small, resulting in less discomfort for patients, even those that are children. Pernasal endoscopy enables the examination of patients with a strong gag reflex, an omega-shaped or infantile epiglottis, thus lessening limitations in the range of subjects for examination. Documentation of stroboscopic images is very useful for explanation of the disease to the patient. Laryngostroboscopy using a videoendoscope is a reliable procedure of stroboscopic examination of vocal fold vibration.
