Spasmodic dysphonia is a disabling voice condition caused by a chronic neurological disorder of central motor processing. Present therapy is directed at relief of symptoms rather than cure. Botulinum toxin type A injection into the thyroarytenoid muscle has become the pre-eminent approach for treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Botulinum toxin A injections can be performed in an out-pati...

BACKGROUND Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) is the backflow of stomach contents above upper esophageal sphincter, into the pharynx, larynx, and upper aerodigestive system. OBJECTIVES In this study, effects of omeprazole over voice quality in muscle tension dysphonia with laryngopharyngeal reflux was ınvestigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS Nine patients, 7 males and 2 females, aged between 27-43 (m...

BACKGROUND Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a focal dystonia of the larynx. Although individuals with SD have variable degrees of difficulty in everyday communication and speaking, many report significant impairments. The impact of SD on the quality of life of people with the disorder has not been well measured. OBJECTIVES To assess the impact of SD using a voice-specific, validated outcomes instr...

INTRODUCTION This study prospectively evaluates and compares the treatment efficacy of botulinum toxin injection under electromyography guidance (EMG group) and percutaneous botulinum toxin injection under flexible fiberscopic guidance (fiberscopy group). METHODS Thirty patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD), who had never received treatment, were randomly allocated into EMG- or fi...

This study sought to use videostrobolaryngoscopy to clarify possible biomechanical causes of dysphonia in patients with laryngeal tension-fatigue syndrome, a chronic functional dysphonia due to vocal abuse and misuse. The videostrobolaryngoscopic records of 301 laryngeal tension-fatigue syndrome patients were reviewed. The focus of observation was the visual characteristics of the mucus layer, ...

Muscle tension dysphonia (MTD) is a voice disorder that occurs as a result of misuse or abuse of the voice [1]. While there is no neurological damage to the larynx nor any structural abnormality present, patients with MTD have limitations in vocal vibrations due to laryngeal muscle tension. Consequently, such patients demonstrate pathological voice problems, such as hoarseness, strained and str...

The term spasmodic dysphonia is a recent one, suggested by Aronson et al. (1968b), as a replacement for the term spastic dysphonia. The new term was advocated because "the term spastic is commonly used to imply disease of ... pyramidal pathways", while the neurological evidence in the Aronson research concerned the extrapyramidal system. Further, Aronson et al. observed that "the strained voice...

INTRODUCTION In a group of persons using the voice occupationally, the frequent symptoms are hoarseness, voice fatigability and aphonia. Pathological changes in the larynx may have organic or functional character which require different methods of treatment and rehabilitation. Visualization of vibrations of the vocal folds is an essential condition for an appropriate assessment of the causes of...

This critical review examined the effects of laryngeal manual therapies on the voice outcomes of patients with muscle tension dysphonia in four studies. Study designs included: three single group pre-posttest studies and one within group repeated measures study. The evidence from this review provides support for the beneficial effects of laryngeal manual therapies on the voice outcomes of patie...

INTRODUCTION Dysphonia is the main symptom of the disorders of oral communication. However, voice disorders also present with other symptoms such as difficulty in maintaining the voice (asthenia), vocal fatigue, variation in habitual vocal fundamental frequency, hoarseness, lack of vocal volume and projection, loss of vocal efficiency, and weakness when speaking. There are several proposals for...