Effects of Target Size and Test Distance on Stereoacuity

Target size and test distance effects on stereoacuity were investigated in 24 subjects using a three-dimensional monitor. Examination 1: Target Size Effects. The test distance was 2.5 m for 0.1°, 0.2°, 0.5°, and 0.9° target sizes; crossed parallax was presented in 22-second units. Average stereoacuity values for 0.1°, 0.2°, 0.5°, and 0.9° target sizes were 59.58±14.86, 47.66±13.71, 41.25±15.95, and 39.41±15.52 seconds, respectively. Stereoacuity was significantly worse with a 0.1° target than with 0.2°, 0.5°, and 0.9° target sizes (P=0.03, P<0.0001, and P<0.0001, resp.). Examination 2: Test Distance Effects. Test distances of 2.5, 5.0, and 7.5 m were investigated for a 0.5° target size; crossed parallax was presented in 22-second units. Average stereoacuity values at 2.5 m, 5.0 m, and 7.5 m test distances were 44.91±16.16, 34.83±10.84, and 24.75±7.27 seconds, respectively. Stereoacuity at a 7.5 m distance was significantly better than at distances of 2.5 m and 5.0 m (P<0.0001 and P=0.02, resp.). Stereoacuity at a 5.0 m distance was significantly better than at 2.5 m (P=0.04). Stereoacuity should be estimated by both parallax and other elements, including test distance and target size

Intraoperative computed tomography imaging for laryngoplasty

[Objectives] Intraoperative cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging has the potential to facilitate the surgical procedure. The current preliminary retrospective chart review investigated the benefits of intraoperative CBCT during laryngoplasty. [Method] This study examined 26 cases that underwent intraoperative CBCT imaging during laryngoplasty, with one patient who counted twice due to first and revision surgery. The visual quality of structures of interest (glottal shape, thyroid cartilage, arytenoid cartilage, and implants) was determined using intraoperative CBCT during laryngoplasty. Each patient also underwent an aerodynamic assessment. [Results] CBCT provided unique information, such as surgical landmarks in severe scarring, the subglottal shape, and the rotation angle of the arytenoid cartilage during arytenoid adduction. Nonetheless, 26.9% (7 of 26) of cases were affected by motion artifact, due to the long acquisition time. When motion artifact-negative cases were evaluated, 100% of glottal shape and more than 89% of thyroid cartilage were well visualized. All arytenoids were well-visualized in patients ≥ 50 years of age and without motion artifact, while CBCT failed to visualize the arytenoids in 2 of 4 patients who were < 50 years, due to the lack of calcifications. After medialization surgery, the yields of improved maximal phonation times (MPTs) in the motion artifact-negative and -positive groups were 8.7 sec and 3.4 sec, respectively (p = 0.032; Welch's t test). This comparison indicates intraoperative CBCT would contribute in MPT improvement, if CBCT is taken in measurable quality. [Conclusion] The potential benefits of intraoperative CBCT during laryngoplasty were demonstrated. A corollary, prospective study is warranted to further confirmation

Development and Validation of the Japanese Version of the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice

PURPOSE: Auditory-perceptual evaluation is essential for the assessment of voice quality. The Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) provides a standardized protocol and assessment form for clinicians to analyze the voice quality and has been adapted into several different languages. The aims of this study were to develop the Japanese version of the CAPE-V and to investigate its reliability and validity. METHOD: The Japanese CAPE-V consisted of the same three speech contexts (vowels, sentences, and conversation) as developed in the original English version. The sentences were designed according to the concepts of the original version and reviewed by Japanese phoneticians. To validate the usefulness of the Japanese CAPE-V, voices of 173 Japanese-speaking subjects (76 subjects with dysphonia and 97 without voice complaints) were evaluated by five experienced judges, according to the Japanese CAPE-V as well as the GRBAS (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain) scale. RESULTS: The Japanese CAPE-V provided a high interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficients [ICCs] > .85 for all the parameters) as well as a high intrarater reliability (ICCs > .85 for all the parameters). In addition, overall severity, roughness, and breathiness in the Japanese CAPE-V were highly correlated with the corresponding dimensions in the GRBAS scale, having Spearman correlation coefficients greater than .8. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated the reliability and validity of the newly developed Japanese CAPE-V as an auditory-perceptual evaluation instrument