The geometric and biomechanical properties of the larynx strongly influence voice quality and efficiency. A physical understanding of phonation natures in pathological conditions is important for predictions of how voice disorders can be treated using therapy and rehabilitation. Here, we present a continuum-based numerical model of phonation that considers complex fluid-structure interactions o...

Laryngopharyngeal malignancy is treated with radiotherapy and/or surgery. When total laryngectomy is required, major laryngeal functions (phonation, airway control, swallowing and coughing) are affected. The insertion of a silicone rubber voice prosthesis in a surgically created tracheoesophageal puncture is the most effective method for voice rehabilitation. Silicone, as is the case with other...

Most of the vocal and voice diseases cause changes in the acoustic voice signal. Acoustic analysis is a useful tool to diagnose this kind of diseases, furthermore it presents several advantages: it is a non-invasive tool, an objective diagnostic and, also, it can be used for the evaluation of surgical and pharmacological treatments and rehabilitation processes. Most of the approaches found in t...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Voice restoration after total laryngectomy is of outmost importance for patient and a therapeutic challenge for the surgeon and speech pathologist. Among various rehabilitation methods prosthetic voice yields nowadays the best results. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 12 patients underwent laryngectomy at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Pat...

UNLABELLED In tracheo esophageal puncture (TEP), we carry out a myotomy of the pharynx constrictor muscle; however, about 9 to 79% of patients need such procedure. The consequence of such procedure is an increase in salivary fistula rates in the postoperative. Botulin toxin is used in an outpatient basis. AIM analyzing the efficacy of botulin toxin (BT) use in the rehabilitation of totally la...

The electroglottography method is an instrumental analysis by the device called Laryngograph, which can be practically applied in the speech signal analysis for people with voice disorders issues. In this paper capabilities of this device are estimated. A very interesting fact is that visualization of the speech signal obtained with the use of Laryngograph device allows to detect the acoustical...

PURPOSE In this study, the authors aimed to determine the relationship between relative fundamental frequency (RFF) and listener perception of vocal effort in individuals with varying degrees of vocal hyperfunction. METHOD Thirty women diagnosed with voice disorders commonly associated with vocal hyperfunction and 10 healthy women provided speech samples that were used to obtain parameters of...

INTRODUCTION In the year 2000, a set of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were presented as a way to channel global efforts into the reduction of poverty and the promotion of social development. A global discussion regarding how to renew these goals is underway and it is in this context that the Goals and Governance for Global Health (Go4Health) research consortium conducted consultatio...

Sacral stress fractures are a frequently overlooked cause of low-back and buttock pain in athletes. A high index of clinical suspicion and use of appropriate diagnostic tools can provide the accurate diagnosis. Early diagnosis and closely monitored and structured rehabilitation program can considerably accelerate return to sport.