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. 2013 Feb;33(1):67-71.

The superior laryngeal nerve injury of a famous soprano, Amelita Galli-Curci

R Marchese-Ragona  1 , D A Restivo, I Mylonakis, G Ottaviano, A Martini, R T Sataloff, A Staffieri
Affiliations

The superior laryngeal nerve injury of a famous soprano, Amelita Galli-Curci

R Marchese-Ragona et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2013 Feb.

Abstract
in English, Italian

The superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) has been attributed much less clinical significance than the recurrent laryngeal nerve. It has sometimes been described as the 'neglected' nerve in thyroid surgery, although injury to this nerve can cause significant disability. The external branch of the SLN is the only motor supply to the cricothyroid muscle, which increases the tension of the ipsilateral vocal fold during highfrequency phonation, particularly in women and voice professionals. Damage to this nerve can manifest as ipsilateral cricothyroid muscle paralysis, and clinical symptoms may include a hoarse, breathy voice, frequent throat clearing, vocal fatigue or diminished vocal frequency range, especially when rising pitch. SLN paralysis can be a significant issue for those whose careers depend largely on a full range of voice. The famous opera soprano, Amelita Galli-Curci, suffered SLN injury during thyroid surgery with distressing consequences.

Il nervo laringeo superiore (SLN) riceve generalmente un minor interesse clinico rispetto al nervo laringeo ricorrente, e qualcuno lo descrive come il nervo 'trascurato' nella chirurgia della tiroide, pur tuttavia una sua lesione può causare disabilità anche significative. Il ramo esterno del SLN è l'unico ramo motore del muscolo cricotiroideo, che aumenta la tensione della corda vocale omolaterale durante la fonazione ad alta frequenza, soprattutto nelle donne e nei professionisti della voce. Danni a questo nervo possono manifestarsi con la paralisi del muscolo cricotiroideo. I sintomi clinici di una lesione del SLN comprendono la raucedine e una voce soffiata, la necessità di schiarirsi frequentemente la gola, la fatica vocale o il diminuito range di frequenza vocale, soprattutto quando si innalza la frequenza della voce. La paralisi del SLN può essere un problema significativo per quei professionisti le cui carriere dipendono, in larga misura, da una completa estensione vocale. La famosa cantante d'opera, Amelita Galli-Curci, subì una lesione al SLN durante una tiroidectomia, con conseguenze drammatiche.

Keywords: Opera singer; Superior laryngeal nerve; Thyroidectomy; Voice disorders.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Amelita Galli-Curci in 1918.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Giulio Gatti-Casazza (1869-1940). Gatti-Casazza was born in Udine, in North-Eastern Italy. He graduated in Engineering at the Genoa Naval School of Engineering, then left the world of engineering to conduct the Opera Orchestra in Ferrara. In 1893 he succeeded his father Stefano, as director of the Municipal Theatre in Ferrara. He was called to Milan as General Manager of La Scala from 1898 to 1908, before his move to New York City where he was head of the Metropolitan Opera from 1908 to 1935. When he left Milan, Gatti-Casazza took Arturo Toscanini with him, the brilliant conductor who had led the orchestra at La Scala during Gatti's years. In 1910, Gatti-Casazza married the soprano Frances Alda, from whom he divorced in 1928 to marry the opera-ballet dancer and choreographer Rosina Galli. Gatti-Casazza discovered many Italian singers and conductors, including Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanini, and the greatest opera singers in the world appeared at the Met under Gatti-Casazza's management. Gatti-Casazza was a very successful administrator and considered a key factor in making the Metropolitan one of the world's premier opera houses. Gatti-Casazza retired in 1935 and returned to Italy to direct the Ferrara Theatre until his death in 1940.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Galli-Curci's tumorous growth on the right side of her neck.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Galli-Curci in hospital after surgery. Courtesy of New York Public Library for the Performing Arts and Associated Press.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Le Massena CE. Galli-Curci's life of song: a biography. Palm Springs, CA: Monitor Book Co; 1977.
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    1. www.hollywoodbowl.com/philpedia/hollywood-bowl-history/opera.cfm.

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