Voice Disorders Flashcards
Aetiology of vocal nodules
- Tissue reaction to frictional trauma between vocal folds
- Excessive laryngeal tension
Pathophysiology of vocal nodules
- Small, white, greyish protuberance on free margin of vocal folds
- Junction of anterior 1/3 & posterior 2/3 of vocal folds (where the vocal folds bang together)
- Usually bilateral & symmetrical
Early stages of vocal nodules
- Localised capillary haemorrhage (bleeding)
- Swelling
- Redness
- Soft
Later stages of vocal nodules
- Fibrosis of epithelium (hard fibrotic lumps usually require an operation)
- Rough
- Semicircular
- Nodule (increases mass and stiffness of vocal fold)
Speaker characteristics for vocal nodules
- Incessant talker
- Socially aggressive
- Tense
- Loud
- Teachers
- Lawyers
- Auctioneers
- Actors
- Singers
Perceptual and physiological signs of vocal nodules
- Perceptual:
- Hoarseness
- Breathiness (because cords aren’t closing properly)
- Habitual cough & throat clearing
- Physiological:
- Airflow may be increased (because cords aren’t closing properly)
- Early stages: Increased subglottal pressure (can achieve closure of vocal folds)
- Later stages: Decreased subglottal pressure (can’t achieve closure of vocal folds)
Management of vocal nodules
- If nodules are immature & nonfibrous: voice therapy
- If nodules are fibrous: surgical removal & therapy
Voice therapy for vocal nodules
- Reduction of voice usage (vocal rest)
- Awareness of vocal hygiene
- Elimination of vocal abusive behaviours (e.g. hard glottal attack)
- Reduction of vocal intensity
- Reduction of laryngeal tension
Vocal nodules
Aetiology of vocal polyps
- Vocal fold trauma due to vocal abuse
- Secondary reaction to:
- Allergies
- Upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
- Excessive smoking
Pathophysiology of vocal polyps
- 2 types:
- Sessile/broad based (blister-like/flap)
- Pedunculated (attached to a stalk)
- Usually unilateral
- Junction of anterior 1/3 & posterior 2/3 of vocal folds
Perceptual & physiological signs of vocal polyps
- Perceptual:
- Diplophonia
- Sudden voice breaks
- Hoarseness
- Roughness
- Breathiness
- Physiological:
- Increased airflow
- Increased sub glottal pressure (to overcome glottal incompetence/poor closure of vocal folds)
Medical management of vocal polyps
- Pedunculated & large sessile: surgical removal
- Small sessile: voice therapy
Voice therapy for vocal polyps
- Similar to therapy for vocal nodules
- 2-6 months before improvements in quality
Vocal polyp - sessile
Vocal polyp - pedunculated
Reinke’s oedema
- Polypoid degeneration
- Build-up fluid in first layer of lamina propria in Reinke’s space
Aetiology of Reinke’s oedema
- Vocal fold trauma & misuse
- Smoking (more frequent in females if long-term smokers)
Pathophysiology of Reinke’s oedema
- Vocal fold full of fluid (boggy)
- Oedema full length of vocal fold bilaterally
- Oedema disturbs elasticity of vocal folds - reducing stiffness
Perceptual & physiological signs of Reinke’s oedema
- Perceptual:
- Low pitch
- Hoarseness
- Shortness of breath
- Physiological:
- Increased airflow
Reinke’s oedema
Chronic laryngitis
Long-standing inflammation of laryngeal mucosa secondary to phonotrauma
Aetiology of chronic laryngitis
- Cigarette-smoking (most common)
- Vocal abuse/misuse (coughing, throat-clearing)
- Overuse of mouthwashes & gargles
Pathophysiology of chronic laryngitis
- Vocal folds are:
- Red
- Irregular
- Thick
- Rounded (rather than sharp)
- Small dilated blood vessels on surface
- Oedema in supraglottic area
Perceptual & physiological signs of chronic laryngitis
- Perceptual:
- Hoarseness
- High/low pitch
- Non-productive cough
- Sore throat
- Physiological:
- Increased airflow
- Increased subglottal pressure
Medical management of chronic laryngitis
Surgical stripping (if voice therapy is unsuccessful)
Voice therapy for chronic laryngitis
Reduction of vocal abuse & misuse
Chronic laryngitis
Muscle Tension Dysphonia
- Second most common type of voice disorder (after vocal nodules)
- Vocal muscle misuse
- Can lead to vocal nodules
Aetiology of muscle tension dysphonia
- Excessive musculoskeletal tension in the head and neck
- Intrinsic & extrinsic laryngeal muscles are sensitive to emotional stress
- Hypercontraction of muscles (common denominator in functional dysphonias)
Symptomatology of muscle tension dysphonia
- Aphonia/dysphonia (more common)
- Breathiness
- Hoarseness
- Excessive high pitch
- Pain in laryngeal area
- Referred pain to ears & chest
- Sensation of a lump or tightness in larynx/pharynx
- Pain in response to pressure on larynx
Physiological bases of muscle tension dysphonia
- Usually normal larynx
- May demonstrate abnormal function
- Secondary mucosal changes may occur
Ventricular dysphonia
- Voice is the result of the vibration of the false/ventricular vocal folds
- Simultaneous vibration of true & false vocal folds lead to diplophonia