Voice Conditions Flashcards
What are the three abnormal voice qualities?
Breathy, rough, strained
Breathy - incomplete glottal closure → turbulent airflow
Rough - aperiodic vocal fold vibration → irregular mucosal wave
Strained - considerable medical compression of true vocal folds
What does breathy vocal quality imply?
Incomplete glottal closure → turbulent airflow
What does rough vocal quality imply?
Aperiodic vocal folds vibration (hindi sabay vibration ng vocal folds)→ irregular mucosal wave (garalgal)
What does strained vocal quality mean?
Considerable medial compression of true vocal folds (ipit)
What does harsh vocal quality mean?
Strained + rough
What does hoarse vocal quality mean?
Strained + rough + breathy
What are organic voice disorders?
Organic voice disorders are related to structural deviations of the vocal tracts (lungs, muscles of respiration, larynx, pharynx, and oral cavity) or to diseases of specific structures of the vocal tract.
- Structural deviations
- Additive growth
- Loss of structure
What are the congenital organic voice disorders?
Laryngomalacia
Subglottic stenosis
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula
This is the inward collapse of the supraglottic structures of the larynx during inspiration” (Holinger, 1997). This accounts for 75% of all congenital anomalies of the larynx and is the most prevalent cause of stridor in the neonate (Elluru, 2006). In most children with the condition, symptoms are evident at birth or within the first few hours or days of life (Andrews and Summers, 2002). Severe ______________ is associated with the primary symptoms of inspiratory stridor, suprasternal retraction, substernal retraction, feeding difficulty, choking, post feeding vomit, failure to thrive, and cyanosis (Lee and colleagues, 2007) → shorter utterances.
Laryngomalacia
This is the narrowing of the space below the glottis and above the first tracheal ring. Although rare, it is one of the most common causes of chronic upper airway obstruction in infants and children. It can be congenital or acquired. The congenital __________ is the second most common cause of stridor in neonates, infants, and children. Acquired ___________ is the most common acquired anomaly of the larynx in the pediatric age group, and is the most common abnormality necessitating tracheotomy in children below one year of age
Subglottic stenosis
This represents a failure of the esophagus to develop as a continuous passage. Instead, it ends as a blind pouch.
Congenital esophageal atresia
This represents an abnormal opening between the trachea and esophagus.
Tracheoesophageal fistula
The standard intervention is surgery. However, surgery is not without risks, such as severe respiratory distress, recurrent aspiration pneumonia, failure to thrive, and dysphagia. Any attempt at feeding could cause aspiration pneumonia because the milk or other liquid collects in the blind pouch and overflows into the trachea and lungs. While a fistula between the lower esophagus and trachea may allow stomach acid to flow into the lungs and cause damage. Because of these dangers, patients should be treated as soon as possible after birth.
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula
Treatment by the SLP focuses primarily on feeding (Khan and colleagues, 2009), and secondarily on voice (Oestreicher‐Kedem and colleagues, 2008). The clinician may suspect dysphagia and dysphonia because unilateral vocal fold paralysis has been associated in a small percentage of patients treated surgically for these conditions. Decrease of loudness and shorter utterances due to lack of air support.
Esophageal atresia and tracheoesophageal fistula
These are small ulcerations that develop on the medial aspect of the vocal processes of the arytenoid cartilages due to irritation. The typical symptoms are deterioration of voice after prolonged vocalization (vocal fatigue), accompanied by pain in the laryngeal area or sometimes pain that lateralizes out to one ear. Watterson and colleagues (1990) also found hoarseness or roughness reported 75% of the time and throat clearing in 65% of the 57 cases of these conditions. This is the result from one of three causes or a combination of these:
- hard glottal attack along with throat clearing and coughing,
- LPR, and
- endotracheal intubation → roughness and breathiness
Granulomas (contact ulcers)
These are usually unilateral, occurring on the vocal folds (inner margin, superior or inferior surface) or anywhere on the ventricular folds. They are often caused by an abnormal blockage of the ductal system of laryngeal mucous glands (Case, 2002), but there are other causes. This may also be congenital or acquired. This often appears soft and pliable and fluid filled, in contrast to the hard, fibrotic structure of a vocal nodule. Voice therapy postsurgically is usually confined to helping the patient eliminate any voice compensations (such as increased glottal attack) that may have been used to minimize the negative voice consequences of the cyst
–symptoms would be roughness and breathiness. + Increased glottal attack
Vocal cysts
Inflammation of the larynx. Often develops in a patient who has had a fever, headache, runny nose (rhinorrhea), sore throat, and coughing. This can also include complaints of odynophagia (sore swallowing), hyperemia (increased blood flow to area), and dysphonia (Dworkin, 2008). Although most problems are viral in origin, the more severe problems (often accompanied by high fever and a very sore throat) may be caused by bacterial infections → strain, roughness. Strome (1982) recommends voice rest, humidification, increased fluid intake (hydration), reduced physical activity, and analgesics. From a voice conservation point of view, absolute voice rest—no attempts at spoken communication, including voice or whisper—should be initiated by the patient with such a laryngeal infection.
Infectious laryngitis
Why is whispering discouraged in cases of infectious laryngitis and other organic changes to the larynx?
Whispering should be discouraged because most people produce a glottal whisper by placing the vocal folds in close approximation to one another, which in effect produces a light voice. The irritated, swollen tissues continue to touch and to vibrate. What infectious laryngitis patients need is total voice rest for a period of two or three days, with the vocal folds in the open, inverted‐V position, and increased fluids (hydration).
These are wart-like growths that are viral in origin, that occur in the ark, moist caverns of the airway, frequently in the larynges of young children. Most common causes of pediatric hoarseness, posts a threat to the airway.
Red flags: shortness of breath and hoarseness. When RRP occurs in the larynx, the additive mass often contributes to dysphonia.
Papilloma
Hindi siya sa middle ng vf nagaappear, mostly sa bandang dulo yung “u” part
A child presents continued hoarseness for more than 10 days, independent of cold or allergy. What should an SLP do?
For this reason, the voice clinician should be particularly alert to any child who demonstrates dysphonia. Any child with continued hoarseness for more than 10 days, independent of a cold or allergy, should have the benefit of a laryngeal examination to identify the cause of the hoarseness.
Passage of gastric juice to the esophagus. It can lead to esophagitis; ulceration; dysphagia; and Barrett’s metaplasia, which is a precancerous condition.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)
Gastric juices move superiorly and through the upper esophageal sphincter, the disorder is identified as _________________, as the contents spill into the pharynx → roughness and breathiness. Other symptoms: morning hoarseness, heartburn, sleeping troubles, sour mouth taste, glottal redness, contact irritation
Laryngopharyngeal reflux (reflux laryngitis)
This may be either congenital or acquired and is of unknown etiology, although vocal abuse and laryngopharyngeal reflux may play a role in the acquired form (Belafsky and colleagues, 2002). In _________, on endoscopy or stroboscopy, we see a furrowed or indentation medial edge of the vocal fold, usually bilaterally symmetrical. The spindle configuration may involve all or any segment of the edge of the fold. The furrow may be confined to the superficial layer of the mucosa or penetrate into the vocal ligament and muscle (Giovanni and colleagues, 2007). The patient presents clinically with some degree of dysphonia, often referred with a confusing array of previous diagnoses such as bowing, presbylaryngis, paralysis, or thyroarytenoid atrophy (Hirano and colleagues, 1990).
What are its symptoms?
Sulcus vocalis
Symptoms: strained, little pitch change, low intensity
This is the age-related atrophy of the vocal folds.
What are its symptoms?
Presbylarynx
Symptoms: weak voice, restricted pitch range, decreased stamina → shorter utterance length
Web growing across the glottis between the two vocal folds inhibits normal fold vibration, often producing a high‐pitched, rough sound during vibration and seriously compromising the open glottis. Webs may be congenital or acquired. Acquired webs result from some kind of bilateral trauma of the medial edges of the vocal folds. Anything that might serve as an irritant to the mucosal surface of the folds may be the initial cause of the webbing. Because the two vocal folds are so close together at the anterior commissure, any surface irritation due to prolonged infection or trauma may cause the inner margins of the two fold surfaces to grow together. Depending on the size of the web, the baby will produce stridor (inhalation noises), shortness of breath, and often a different high‐pitched (squeal) cry. Approximately three‐fourths of all laryngeal webs cross the glottis (Strome, 1982). This also may cause severe dysphonia as well as shortness of breath depending on how extensively the webbing crosses the glottis.
Laryngeal webbing
Since pinapaliit yung butas ng VF, nagpproduce ng sipol (stridor)
Cancer or carcinoma in the vocal tract is a life‐threatening disease that requires comprehensive medical–surgical management.
Laryngeal cancer
True or False. Lip and intraoral cancers rarely contribute to changes in voice, but they may have obvious negative effects on articulation.
t
True or False. Extensive oral lesions involving the tongue, perhaps even requiring partial or total surgical removal of the tongue (glossectomy), or palatal and velar cancer can seriously affect articulation, vocal resonance, and, of course, swallowing.
t
Laryngeal cancers can be classified into three groups, depending on the site of the lesion:
(1) supraglottal, involving structures such as the ventricular and aryepiglottic folds, the epiglottis, the arytenoid cartilages, and the walls of the hypopharynx; (2) glottal, from the anterior commissure to the vocal process ends of the arytenoids; and (3) subglottal, involving the cricoid cartilage and trachea.
Contact granulomas (ulcers) are multifactorial in nature and are considered a chronic inflammatory disease of the larynx. They seem to result from one of three causes or a combination of these:
Hard glottal attack along with throat clearing and coughing, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and endotracheal intubation.
Behavioral voice therapy in combination with medical intervention is a powerful approach
CASE4: A 38‐year‐old music salesman presented to the clinic with pain in the laryngeal area following a bout of bronchitis and extensive coughing and throat clearing. He reported occasionally coughing up small amounts of blood. He said he lifts weights but reported the healthy strategy of exhaling while flexing. He does not smoke and he reports minimal water intake. Vocal quality was normal in pitch and quality. He coughed and throat‐cleared throughout the assessment. The salesman was overheard chastising an employee on his cell phone using a hard glottal attack. He said he was recently prescribed anti‐reflux medication by his physician. The patient’s F0 for a sustained /a/ revealed 161Hz with a RAP of .236% and shimmer of 1.56%. Transglottal airflow was 138 ml/s. This client most likely presents with:
A. Adult-onset papilloma
B. Contact granuloma
C. Laryngomalacia
D. A laryngeal cyst
Answer: B. Contact granuloma
A 38‐year‐old music salesman presented to the clinic with pain in the laryngeal area following a bout of bronchitis and extensive coughing and throat clearing. He reported occasionally coughing up small amounts of blood. He said he lifts weights but reported the healthy strategy of exhaling while flexing. He does not smoke and he reports minimal water intake. Vocal quality was normal in pitch and quality. He coughed and throat‐cleared throughout the assessment. The salesman was overheard chastising an employee on his cell phone using a hard glottal attack. He said he was recently prescribed anti‐reflux medication by his physician. The patient’s F0 for a sustained /a/ revealed 161Hz with a RAP of .236% and shimmer of 1.56%. Transglottal airflow was 138 ml/s. The near normal acoustic measures are likely due to the fact that the lesions are:
A. Located on the nonvibrational portion of the glottis
B. Soft and pliable
C. Located lateral to the glottal margin
D. Pedunculated
Answer: A. Located on the nonvibrational portion of the glottis
A 38‐year‐old music salesman presented to the clinic with pain in the laryngeal area following a bout of bronchitis and extensive coughing and throat clearing. He reported occasionally coughing up small amounts of blood. He said he lifts weights but reported the healthy strategy of exhaling while flexing. He does not smoke and he reports minimal water intake. Vocal quality was normal in pitch and quality. He coughed and throat‐cleared throughout the assessment. The salesman was overheard chastising an employee on his cell phone using a hard glottal attack. He said he was recently prescribed anti‐reflux medication by his physician. The patient’s F0 for a sustained /a/ revealed 161Hz with a RAP of .236% and shimmer of 1.56%. Transglottal airflow was 138 ml/s. Laryngostroboscopic examination will most likely reveal:
A. An anterior web
B. Vocal nodules
C. Granulated tissue at the posterior aspect of the glottis
D. Bowed vocal folds
Answer: C. Granulated tissue at the posterior aspect of the glottis.
A 38‐year‐old music salesman presented to the clinic with pain in the laryngeal area following a bout of bronchitis and extensive coughing and throat clearing. He reported occasionally coughing up small amounts of blood. He said he lifts weights but reported the healthy strategy of exhaling while flexing. He does not smoke and he reports minimal water intake. Vocal quality was normal in pitch and quality. He coughed and throat‐cleared throughout the assessment. The salesman was overheard chastising an employee on his cell phone using a hard glottal attack. He said he was recently prescribed anti‐reflux medication by his physician. The patient’s F0 for a sustained /a/ revealed 161Hz with a RAP of .236% and shimmer of 1.56%. Transglottal airflow was 138 ml/s. This hyperplastic laryngeal abnormality is most likely secondary to:
A. Laryngopharyngeal reflux
B. Chronic laryngeal collisional forces of coughing and throat clearing
C. Hard glottal attack
D. All of these
Answer: D. All of these
A 38‐year‐old music salesman presented to the clinic with pain in the laryngeal area following a bout of bronchitis and extensive coughing and throat clearing. He reported occasionally coughing up small amounts of blood. He said he lifts weights but reported the healthy strategy of exhaling while flexing. He does not smoke and he reports minimal water intake. Vocal quality was normal in pitch and quality. He coughed and throat‐cleared throughout the assessment. The salesman was overheard chastising an employee on his cell phone using a hard glottal attack. He said he was recently prescribed anti‐reflux medication by his physician. The patient’s F0 for a sustained /a/ revealed 161Hz with a RAP of .236% and shimmer of 1.56%. Transglottal airflow was 138 ml/s. The most comprehensive approach to this vocal fold pathology is:
A. Surgical removal of the abnormality
B. Continued anti‐reflux regimen and intervention for reduced hard glottal attack
C. Vocal hygiene only
D. Voice rest
Answer: B. Continued anti‐reflux regimen and intervention for reduced hard glottal attack
Which of the following is NOT an abnormal voice quality?
A. Breathy
B. Rough
C. Clear
D. Strained
Answer: C. Clear
A breathy vocal quality typically results from:
A. Irregular mucosal wave
B. Incomplete glottal closure
C. Medial compression of the vocal folds
D. Excessive airflow
Answer: B. Incomplete glottal closure. Breathy vocal quality results from incomplete glottal closure, leading to turbulent airflow.
What combination of qualities characterizes a hoarse vocal quality? What combination of qualities characterizes a hoarse vocal quality?
A. Strained + rough + breathy
B. Strained + rough
C. Breathy + rough
D. Breathy + strained
Answer: A. Strained + rough + breathy
Select all that apply: Which of the following are congenital organic voice disorders?
A. Laryngomalacia
B. Subglottic stenosis
C. Esophageal atresia
D. Granulomas
Answer: A, B, C
Which of the following disorders is described by the inward collapse of the supraglottic structures during inspiration and is the most common cause of stridor in neonates?Which of the following disorders is described by the inward collapse of the supraglottic structures during inspiration and is the most common cause of stridor in neonates?
A. Subglottic stenosis
B. Esophageal atresia
C. Laryngomalacia
D. Tracheoesophageal fistula
Answer: C. Laryngomalacia
A patient with subglottic stenosis is likely to present with:
A. Inspiratory stridor
B. Vocal nodules
C. Coughing and throat clearing
D. Unilateral vocal fold paralysis
Answer: A. Inspiratory stridor. Subglottic stenosis typically presents with inspiratory stridor due to the narrowed airway.
A small ulceration on the medial aspect of the arytenoid cartilages is most likely to be:
A. Papilloma
B. Cyst
C. Granuloma (Contact Ulcer)
D. Laryngomalacia
Answer: C. Granuloma
What is the typical cause of infectious laryngitis?
A. Viral infection
B. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
C. Smoking
D. Overuse of vocal folds
Answer: Viral infection
Why is whispering discouraged for patients with infectious laryngitis?
A. It causes complete vocal fold closure
B. It creates excessive medial compression
C. It can lead to further irritation and swelling of the vocal folds
D. It promotes dehydration of the vocal tract
Answer: C. It can lead to further irritation and swelling of vocal folds
Case: A 5-year-old child presents with continued hoarseness for more than 10 days without a cold or allergy. What is the most appropriate next step for the SLP?
A. Recommend voice rest and follow-up in one week
B. Suggest speech therapy exercises
C. Refer the child for a laryngeal examination
D. Advise increased hydration and vocal rest
Answer: C. Refer the child for a laryngeal examination
Which condition is characterized by wart-like growths that are viral in origin, commonly causing pediatric hoarseness?
A. Laryngomalacia
B. Papilloma
C. Granuloma
D. Sulcus vocalis
Answer: B. Papilloma