Histological findings in arytenoid cartilages after long-lasting recurrent nerve paralysis.

The histological findings in 15 excised arytenoid cartilages are reported. In all the cases there was a long-term recurrent nerve paralysis without additional inflammatory disease. In one of the cases there was fibrous ankylosis of the crico-arytenoid joint. This is the first report made on the histological findings in the arytenoid cartilage in cases of paralysis. It is confirmed that there are differences in joint pathology between cases of immobility due to inflammatory conditions and those due to pure noninflammatory recurrent paralysis. The fixation caused by arthritis of the joint has a relatively poor prognosis after surgery while, if the fixation is due to recurrent nerve paralysis, the chances of recovery are good in long-term cases.