Pathogenesis of protruded false vocal fold

I. Honjo, S. Tanaka and M. Tanabe

In ten patients with marked protrusion of the false vocal fold, the underlying structures were examined by computed tomography. The computed tomographic scan at the level of the false vocal fold consistently demonstrated a marked concavity of the thyroid ala on the side of the false-fold protrusion. The angle between the thyroid alae was significantly smaller in these patients than in normal controls. A combination of the above two deformities was considered to be responsible for the protrusion of the false vocal fold. Since all the patients were aged men, the deformity of the thyroid cartilage was presumed to be acquired, and related in some way to the aging process of the cartilage.