Assessment of vocal fold movement through anterior-posterior view of videofluoroscopic swallowing study

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the value of using videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) for assessing vocal fold paralysis.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of patients who underwent VFSS with a vocal fold testing maneuver from June 2020 to February 2022, and who had undergone laryngoscopy within 2 weeks before or after VFSS. The vocal fold testing maneuver consisted of making an 'e' sound for about 2-3 seconds during VFSS anterior-posterior (AP) view. The diagnostic value of the VFSS was evaluated by a trained reviewer, who assessed the presence and laterality of vocal fold paralysis by examining videos of the patients performing the vocal fold testing maneuver. Intra-rater reliability was determined by evaluation of the videos by the same reviewer 2 weeks later, and inter-rater reliability was determined by evaluation by a second reviewer.

Results: Seventy patients were enrolled in the study. The positive predictive value was 91.43% and the intra-rater and inter-rater reliabilities, as determined by Cohen's kappa value, were 0.746 and 0.824 respectively.

Conclusions: The presence and laterality of vocal fold paralysis were identified accurately and reliably by the reviewers, showing that VFSS can be used to assess vocal fold paralysis.