Korean J Otolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2004 Jul;47(7):650-654.

Morphologic Changes of the Inferior Turbinate after Total Laryngectomy

• Cho HH
• Kim CK
• Cho JS
• Lim SC

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The cessation of airflow in nasal cavity after total laryngectomy could influence the function and morphology of the nasal mucosa. The effect on human nasal mucosa after total laryngectomy was investigated with endoscopic photographs and biopsies. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Twenty-two laryngectomees were studied and compared with 15 normal controls. Inferior turbinate was checked with 0 degree endoscopic photographs, and the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) scale was analysed by a histogram of adobe photoshop 6.0. In thirteen patients, inferior turbinate mucosa was taken for microscopic examination. RESULTS: The difference of RGB scale between laryngectomees and normal control was statistically significant with the exception of the Red. Furthermore, the anterior part of the inferior turbinate was found to consist of ciliated columnar epitheliums which contained goblet cells. CONCLUSION: This study implicates that the stimulation of nasal airflow affects the function and morphology of the human nasal mucosa.

Keyword

Laryngectomy; Nasal mucosa; Histology; Respiration

MeSH Terms

Biopsy
Epithelium
Goblet Cells
Humans
Laryngectomy*
Mucous Membrane
Nasal Cavity
Nasal Mucosa
Respiration
Turbinates*