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- W2015762630 abstract "The past three years have seen an overwhelming increase in the number of dysphonic patients in our clinics. This phenomenon goes hand in hand with increased opening of call centers nationwide and increased demand for teachers, singers and performers abroad.
 
 This article discusses simple steps for the Otolaryngologist interested in evaluating these patients with different voice demands. It is important to recognize these common voice problems and address them promptly, or to refer them accordingly to Voice Centers if necessary.
 
 Chief Complaint
 
 The most common chief complaint is change in the quality of the voice or hoarseness. Hoarseness means a change in the perception of one’s voice, described as harsh, raspy, “paos” or “malat.” Other complaints include breathiness, throat pain, neck pain, inability and unrealibility to reach high notes.
 
 Inability to reach high notes suggests edema of the vocal folds making them more plump, as can be found in reflux laryngitis, allergies, or smoking. Lesions such as nodules, polyps and cysts cannot be discounted because they prevent vocal fold closure especially during high notes1
 
 Throat and neck pain without an accompanying history of infection may suggest muscle tension dysphonia, especially in a voice professional who later develops maladaptive ways of talking that could strain other throat and neck muscles in an effort to speak.2
 
 Frequent throat clearing, a sensation of phlegm in the throat and cough are also important chief complaints that may lead the otolaryngologist to the cause of the voice problem. In the absence of upper respiratory tract infections and post-nasal discharge, these could be suggestive of laryngopharyngeal reflux.3
 
 
 History
 
 Does the hoarseness occur on and off? Was it sudden? After shouting in a basketball event? Is it becoming worse and permanent? What triggers or relieves it?
 
 Intermittent hoarseness could be due to voice abuse and misuse especially in a voice professional. Sudden hoarseness especially after watching a basketball event could be suggestive of vocal fold hemorrhage. A voice problem becoming worse and permanent could be a growing polyp or cyst, vocal fold paralysis in laryngeal cancer or thyroid cancer. A long lecture triggering the hoarseness and rest relieving it may suggest soft nodules, or Reinke’s edema due to vocal fold trauma of voice abuse and misuse.
 
 To begin with, it is important to know the occupation of our patient. Is our patient a voice professional- someone who uses his or her voice for a living? Voice demands at work contribute to voice change significantly and voice abuse and misuse is one of the most common causes of hoarseness. What are the other associated symptoms?
 
 Medical problems like a recent bout of upper respiratory tract infection and allergies are among the most common causes of hoarseness and should not be discounted immediately. Symptoms of hyperacidity are also significant.4
 
 Is there a history of breathiness and difficulty of breathing? Voice fatigue, tremor, hypo or hypernasal voice? Choking, globus, odynophagia or dysphagia? Neck pain or head and neck trauma? These questions can give clues to the clinician regarding the possible cause of the problem.
 
 Past Medical History
 
 Asthma, COPD, pulmonary malignancy are associated with voice changes due to decreased airflow. Gastric ulcers and GERD can be suggestive of associated laryngopharyngeal reflux disease changing the vocal fold mucosa leading to voice change.3
 
 Parkinsonism, myasthenia, traumatic brain injury and movement disorders can cause tremors, weakness or strained voice quality. Rheumatoid arthritis, SLE, and other autoimmune disorders can cause voice changes such as paralysis in RA. Endocrine problems such as hypothyroidism can cause edema of the vocal folds leading to decrease in pitch. Thyroid cancer can cause vocal fold paralysis. A history of radiation secondary to malignancies in the head and neck can cause vocal fold scarring leading to voice change.1
 
 Personality and psychiatric disorders also lead to diagnosis. The outgoing, type A personality usually has vocal fold nodules; while inhibited and shy persons have functional dysphonias.5 Traumatic life events are also very important to take note of.
 
 History of surgery for neck trauma, thyroid nodules or malignancies, spine, cardiac, pulmonary and brain surgeries or previous endotracheal intubation can cause voice changes, usually related to vocal fold mobility problems. 1
 
 Medications such as inhalational steroids for asthma can cause fungal laryngitis. ARB and ACE inhibitors for hypertension can cause non specific vocal fold masses. Antitussives, decongestants, antihistamines and Vitamin C are known to cause dryness of the vocal folds. Pills with sexual hormones can cause either elevations or decreases in pitch.6
 
 Smoking can cause polypoid conditions in the vocal folds, pre-malignant or malignant changes. Intake of alcohol, diet and lifestyle can contribute to reflux problems and dysphonia.
 
 Physical Examination
 
 Hearing the patient and forming a subjective impression of the patient’s voice should automatically be part of the interview process. Ranking the voice according to a standard scale is subjective but becomes increasingly reproducible and precise with training and experience.
 
 Voice can be evaluated according to pitch, loudness, and vocal quality.
 
 Pitch is the highness or lowness of the voice. Is the speaking voice too low for the soprano? This could be the problem why a trained singer would have dysphonia. Does the woman sound like a man over the phone? This could be Reinke’s edema, maybe she is a smoker as well. Does the adult male suddenly speak with elevated pitch? This could be vocal fold paralysis.
 
 Loudness is the power of the voice. This is due to the source of power, the lungs. Posture, type of breathing, technique or training can affect this. Systemic problems like generalized weakness and cachexia are contributory. Of course pulmonary problems can contribute to decreased power.
 
 Voice quality can be evaluated using the GRBAS system.7 Just hearing the voice and using this system is helpful in making an impression.
 
 G- grade
 R- roughness
 B- breathiness
 A- asthenia
 S- strain
 
 GRBAS uses a 0 to 3 scale (0= normal or absence of deviance; 1=slight deviance; 2=moderate deviance; 3= severe deviance).
 
 Grade relates to the overall voice quality, integrating all deviant components
 
 
 
 
 
 
 GRBAS
 
 
 Sounds 
 
 
 Probable Conditions 
 
 
 
 
 Roughness
 
 
 Grainy quality; diplophonic
 
 
 Vocal fold masses such as nodules, polyps, cysts, laryngitis
 
 
 
 
 Breathiness
 
 
 Airy
 
 
 Unilateral paralysis, bowing, atrophy, abductor spasmodic dysphonia
 
 
 
 
 Asthenia
 
 
 No voice
 
 
 Bilateral paralysis in paramedian position, vocal fold atrophy
 
 
 
 
 Strain
 
 
 Tight quality
 
 
 Abductor spasmodic dysphonia, muscle tension dysphonia
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Head and Neck Examination
 
 Palpating the neck, especially the base of the tongue, and neck muscles which are tense and tender can be suggestive of an ongoing muscle tension dysphonia as a cause of the voice change.8 Thyroid masses, neck nodes, etc can be helpful in leading the clinician to a diagnosis.
 
 Visualizing the larynx has evolved as advances in technology have improved the understanding of vocal fold anatomy, physiology and voice production.
 
 At present, there is no single laryngeal examination tool that is superior to the others. What is important is that it gives a thorough visualization of the anatomy and a good functional evaluation of the larynx. Selecting the appropriate instrumentation will be possible if we recognize the advantages and limitations of the diagnostic tool we are using.9 Sometimes, a combination of these tools is important to make an accurate diagnosis.
 
 Advantages and Limitations of the Different Instruments to Visualize the Larynx
 
 
 
 
 
 Instrument
 
 
 Advantages
 
 
 Limitations
 
 
 
 
 Indirect Mirror Laryngoscopy
 
 
 Readily available; inexpensive
 Gives a gross idea of the anatomy; mobility; mucus; and mass (if big enough)
 
 
 Limited in patients who are hypergag; patient is not in a normal physiologic position; hard to detect paresis and small lesions
 
 
 
 
 Transnasal Flexible laryngoscopy
 
 
 Helpful for hypergag patients; patients physiology involving the tongue, pharynx and palate are well visualized; can assess paresis from paralysis; can be recorded for review
 
 
 Small lesions are hard to differentiate; color might not be reliable depending on the camera; may be expensive
 
 
 
 
 Rigid 70 or 90 degrees laryngoscope
 
 
 Extremely clear and magnified view; less expensive; can be recorded for review
 
 
 Limited in patients who are hypergag; patient is not in a normal physiologic position; hard to detect paresis and muscle tension dysphonia
 
 
 
 
 Videostroboscopy10
 
 
 Provides a slow motion evaluation of vocal fold vibratory pattern, closure, mucosal wave; can differentiate benign vocal fold lesions
 
 
 Expensive; requires additional training
 
 
 
 
 
 Some helpful vocal tasks when using a flexible scope:
 
 
 
 
 
 Task
 
 
 Endoscopic Findings
 
 
 
 
 /ii/
 
 
 Adduction
 
 
 
 
 Sniff
 
 
 Abduction
 
 
 
 
 Hee-hee-hee
 
 
 Either decreased adduction or abduction
 
 
 
 
 Sniff then /ii/
 
 
 Fatigues the vocal folds; detects paresis/ weakness
 
 
 
 
 /ii/ glide form low to high pitch
 
 
 ability to lengthen the vocal folds
 
 
 
 
 
 Despite technological advances in laryngology, a good history and physical examination are still crucial in the diagnosis of voice disorders. Certain clues can be provided by a good history that especially point to a hoarse patient. Because no single instrument is superior for visualization of the larynx, it is important to recognize the advantages and limitations of each." @default.
- W2015762630 created "2016-06-24" @default.
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- W2015762630 date "2008-12-27" @default.
- W2015762630 modified "2023-09-27" @default.
- W2015762630 title "An Easy Guide for Voice Evaluation in the Clinic" @default.
- W2015762630 doi "https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v23i2.753" @default.
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