[Histological findings of 15 excised arytenoid cartilages after long-lasting recurrent nerve paralysis (author's transl)].

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