LARYNGOLOGY: DYSPHONIA

Question 1

________________ is a potential space beneath the epithelium of the vocal fold. Oedema of this space secondary to _______________ => dysphonia.

Treatment?

Answer 1

Reinke’s oedema

Reinke’s space is a potential space beneath the epithelium of the vocal fold. Oedema of this space secondary to cigarette smoking => dysphonia.

In the early stages stopping smoking and voice rest may suffice but more established cases may require surgical intervention to improve voice quality

Question 2

NON-INFECTIOUS CAUSES OF DYSPHONIA

Examinations?

Answer 2

• Reinke’s Oedema secondary to cigarette smoking => dysphonia
• Muscle Tension Dysphonia: caused by an imbalance in the laryngeal muscles. It can be triggered by emotional stress, upper respiratory tract infections, trauma or inflammation
• Vocal Cord Paralysis is generally unilateral and is more often left-sided due to the longer intrathoracic course of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve which makes it more vulnerable to injury. In unilateral cord palsy the main problems are poor voice quality and/or aspiration.

Question 3

_____________________ is caused by an imbalance in the laryngeal muscles. It can be triggered by emotional stress, upper respiratory tract infections, trauma or inflammation

Answer 3

Muscle Tension Dysphonia: caused by an imbalance in the laryngeal muscles. It can be triggered by emotional stress, upper respiratory tract infections, trauma or inflammation

Question 4

Vocal cord paralysis is generally _________ and is more often________due to the longer intrathoracic course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve which makes it more vulnerable to injury.

• Unilateral vs. Bilateral?

Answer 4

Vocal cord paralysis is generally unilateral and is more often left-sided due to the longer intrathoracic course of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve which makes it more vulnerable to injury.

• Unilateral cord palsy => poor voice quality and/or aspiration.
• Bilateral vocal cord palsy => airway compromise.