Effects of laryngeal cancer on voice and swallowing

Specific deficits that may be encountered as well as interventional strategies and evidence-based practice are discussed. When discussing the voice, it is important to consider that for many people the voice is not just a tool for communication, but also an identifying feature that allows expression of personality. Eating and swallowing are vital to life sustenance and also allow for a myriad of social interactions. Laryngeal cancer can have a dramatic impact on this delicately balanced system leading to disturbances of voice and swallowing.     

Description of laryngeal pathologies in children evaluated by otolaryngologists

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the occurrence of laryngeal pathologies and their distribution across age, sex, and race in a pediatric sample. Data were collected on 731 patients seeking evaluation or treatment at a children's hospital otolaryngology clinic. The most frequent laryngeal pathologies were subglottic stenosis, vocal nodules, laryngomalacia, and vocal fold paralysis. For the total sample, laryngeal pathologies were significantly more common to males than females. Laryngeal pathologies were most common in the youngest patients. The distribution of pathologies within each race was similar to that found throughout the total sample. Comparisons with similar investigations are made. Implications for management are discussed.     

Restoration of voice after laryngeal surgeries

Some aspects of speech deficiency in Japanese-speaking patients who had undergone surgeries for laryngeal malignancy were studied. Surgical procedures included reconstructive surgeries after total laryngectomy and conservation surgeries. A series of listener-judgments and some acoustic analyses of speech were made. The recorded voices of the patients were more or less hoarse. The median speaking pitch varied greatly from patient to patient, and often assumed an unusual value. The average articulation score for five Japanese vowels was computed for each subject. The score varied from patient to patient, and was thought to be useful in quantitatively evaluating speech quality. It was shown that certain glottal consonants such as /h/ can be affected by laryngeal surgeries. It was emphasized that the larynx should be regarded not only as a generator or a vibrator, but also as an articulator which produces consonants. The listening tests also revealed that the intonation pattern of Japanese two-syllable nouns can be influenced by laryngeal surgeries, and that distinction among certain words may become impossible as a result. This type of speech problem may require serious consideration in some language environments.     

Effect of aggressive therapy on laryngeal symptoms and voice characteristics in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is associated with a variety of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms. Injury of the laryngopharynx as a result of GER can be refractory to conventional antireflux therapy. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms in patients with documented GER and to assess the response to a high-dose combination antireflux therapy consisting of cisapride and pantoprazole. Twenty-two patients with symptoms of GER were enrolled. After baseline evaluation using a history questionnaire for symptoms, laryngeal endoscopy and vocal acoustic analysis, patients were started on treatment consisting of pantoprazole 40 mg b.d. and cisapride 20 mg twice daily. Repeat history and otolaryngologic evaluation was performed at 4 weeks. Laryngopharyngeal symptoms were frequent in most patients, with throat clearing and globus being the most prevalent symptoms followed by vocal fatigue and excess mucus production. Almost 90% of the patients had abnormal endoscopic laryngeal findings but the acoustic parameters did not show any abnormal results except for mild elevation in the shimmer. After treatment, all symptoms and endoscopic abnormalities improved significantly except for intermittent dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal redness. Acoustic abnormalities did not change significantly following therapy. Laryngeal symptoms and voice abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with GER. Combination antireflux therapy with a proton pump inhibitor and a prokinetic agent results in rapid symptomatic and endoscopic response in the majority of patients.     

鼻声反射和鼻腔测压评价鼻中隔矫正术对双侧鼻腔的影响

目的：评价鼻中隔矫正术对双侧鼻腔的影响。方法：用鼻声反射和前鼻主动测压法对22例鼻中隔矫正术患者分别于术前和术后进行测试,其中3例行双下甲成形术,1例由于单侧鼻腔完全阻塞术前未能测出鼻声反射和鼻阻力数值,2例宽敞侧鼻腔行右下甲成形术,予以排除。最后纳入实验组狭窄侧鼻腔18侧,宽敞侧鼻腔16侧。记录鼻腔最小横截面积（NMCA）、NMCA至前鼻孔的距离（DCAN）、0～5cm鼻腔容积（NCV）和鼻阻力,进行统计学分析。结果：前鼻测压结果：偏曲侧鼻腔的吸气有效阻力术后比术前有明显下降（P〈0．05）,而宽敞侧吸气有效阻力术后较术前下降,但差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。鼻声反射结果：偏曲侧鼻腔收缩前,0～5cm NCV和NMCA术后比术前明显增大,DCAN明显前移,3项指标均显示差异有统计学意义（均P〈0．01）。宽敞侧鼻腔收缩前,0～5cm NCV术后比术前轻微增大,术后NMCA较术前轻微减小,DCAN较术前后移,3项指标的差异均无统计学意义（均P〉0．05）。收缩后,0～5cm NCV术后比术前增大,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;术后NMCA较术前轻微减小,差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论：鼻中隔矫正术对偏曲侧鼻腔的功能和几何形态有明显改善,对侧宽敞侧鼻腔的通气功能和几何形态无明显恶化。     

Effects on voice by endolaryngeal microsurgery

Endolaryngeal microsurgery (EM) is functionally oriented. Therefore, assessment of vocal function is important to evaluate the effect of the surgery on voice. In all, 58 patients, including 26 patients with vocal cord nodules and 32 patients with vocal cord polyps, underwent EM. The patients’ voices were recorded and analyzed before EM and 2 weeks after. Analysis of voice quality included perceptual assessment and each patient’s own subjective evaluation of social acceptability of voice according to the 10.0 cm visual analogue scale (VAS) scale. Acoustic voice signal data were measured for fundamental frequency (F ₀), jitter, shimmer and normalized noise energy (NNE) using Tiger Electronics Dr. Speech software. Statistically significant (P < 0.001) improvement was achieved in both perceptual and acoustic analysis and in both patient groups. According to the VAS scale, a high degree of satisfaction with the surgery was achieved. The grade of hoarseness (G) as well as roughness (R) and breathiness (B) decreased significantly after the operation. EM resulted in a statistically significant decrease in the mean jitter, shimmer and NNE postoperatively. There were no significant changes in the F ₀ after EM. These results confirm a high degree of effectiveness of EM on vocal rehabilitation and meet the expectations regarding the assessment and documentation of postsurgical voice changes. Received: 26 September 1998 / Accepted: 23 February 1999     

Acoustic analysis of voice for computerized laryngeal pathology assessment

The purpose of this paper is to review the techniques of computerized acoustic analysis of voice signals used for laryngeal pathology assessment. Results of using a methodology described by Davis for distinguishing between T1 glottic cancer, noncancerous pathology, and normal speakers are presented. These results indicate that this technique is not sufficiently sensitive for general clinical usefulness. There is an intentional lack of mathematical detail in this paper, as its prime intent is to conceptually outline issues and approaches.     

喉癌与声带息肉患者嗓音的计算机定量评估

目的比较喉癌及声带息肉患者主要嗓音参数在不同检测方法中的变化,探讨喉癌与声带息肉对发声功能的影响。方法采用Dr．SpeechScienceforWindows（4．0）软件对正常成人、喉癌患者、声带息肉患者作嗓音声学分析和电声门图检测,并比较其主要参数的变化,分析各自嗓音质量评估的特点。结果①在喉癌和声带息肉患者中,两种嗓音检测方法的嗓音参数,基频微扰、振幅微扰、声门噪声能量均是有价值的,两者的基频微扰、振幅微扰、声门噪声能量可以互相替代,两种方法各参数间比较无统计学差异;②正常成人、喉癌患者、声带息肉患者平均基频之间无统计学意义,基频微扰、振幅微扰、声门噪声能量数值由低到高排列依次为正常成人组、声带息肉组、喉癌组,两两比较均有显著性差异（P〈O.05）;③嗓音质量由好到差排列为正常成人组、声带息肉组、喉癌组。结论计算机声学分析的各项参数可作为嗓音定量评价的客观指标,判断嗓音损害程度。     

Effects of levodopa on laryngeal muscle activity for voice onset and offset in Parkinson disease.

The laryngeal pathophysiology underlying the speech disorder in idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) was addressed in this electromyographic study of laryngeal muscle activity. This muscle activity was examined during voice onset and offset gestures in 6 persons in the early stages of IPD who were not receiving medication. The purpose was to determine (a) if impaired voice onset and offset control for speech and vocal fold bowing were related to abnormalities in laryngeal muscle activity in the nonmedicated state and (b) if these attributes change with levodopa. Blinded listeners rated the IPD participants' voice onset and offset control before and after levodopa was administered. In the nonmedicated state, the IPD participants' vocal fold bowing was examined on nasoendoscopy, and laryngeal muscle activity levels were compared with normal research volunteers. The IPD participants were then administered a therapeutic dose of levodopa, and changes in laryngeal muscle activity for voice onset and offset gestures were measured during the same session. Significant differences were found between IPD participants in the nonmedicated state: those with higher levels of muscle activation had vocal fold bowing and greater impairment in voice onset and offset control for speech. Similarly, following levodopa administration, those with thyroarytenoid muscle activity reductions had greater improvements in voice onset and offset control for speech. In this study, voice onset and offset control difficulties and vocal fold bowing were associated with increased levels of laryngeal muscle activity in the absence of medication.     

Effects of voice therapy on vocal process granuloma: a phonoscopic approach

PURPOSE: This study reviewed the effects of a voice therapy program in patients who had failed other treatments for vocal process granuloma related to laryngopharyngeal reflux. The program was offered to 16 patients, all of whom demonstrated contact of the vocal processes at the site of pathology on voicing. During an initial evaluation, each patient was counseled regarding the need for voice conservation and improved vocal hygiene. Of the 16 patients, 10 agreed to undergo voice therapy and were subsequently enrolled in the treatment program. METHODS: The primary therapy objective was to modify each patient's vocal fold contact pattern so that a small gap remained between the vocal processes during voicing. A "phonoscopic" approach to therapy was used. That is, the clinician and the patient were able to observe the larynx endoscopically while also listening to the voice. This combined aural and visual approach enabled the clinician to guide the patient toward the treatment objective with precision and provided patients with immediate feedback regarding their progress. RESULTS: Of the 10 patients who underwent therapy, 8 were able to achieve the treatment objective, and all 8 experienced resolution of pathology or a marked reduction in its extent. Six patients who did not undergo treatment, and the 2 who were unable to achieve the treatment objective, demonstrated minimal or no improvement, or worsening of their pathology, over the same period. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment program described may be of value to similar patients with resistant granuloma related to extraesophageal reflux.