Gaviscon® Advance alone versus co-prescription of Gaviscon® Advance and proton pump inhibitors in the treatment of laryngopharyngeal reflux.

OBJECTIVES: Management of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) typically comprises alginates and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) alone or in combination, yet evidence to support any particular treatment regimen is lacking. We sought to evaluate the efficacy of Gaviscon® Advance alone versus co-prescription with a PPI in treating LPR. METHODS: One hundred consecutive LPR patients with a reflux symptom index (RSI) score > 10 attending our joint voice clinic (JVC) were studied prospectively. All were treated with Gaviscon® Advance four times daily. If patients had been started on a PPI prior to their JVC attendance, this was optimised to a twice-daily dosing regimen and continued. RSI scores were recorded at first attendance and 3 months post-treatment via postal questionnaire. Scores were analysed using t tests and Levene's test for equality of variances. RESULTS: Follow-up RSI scores were returned by 72 patients, 39 of whom were treated with Gaviscon® Advance only (group A) and 33 with Gaviscon® Advance + PPI (group B). Mean pre-treatment RSI scores were similar between groups [group A: 19.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) ± 2.4; group B: 21.3, 95% CI ± 3.2 (p = 0.65)]. No significant differences were observed with respect to 3-month post-treatment RSI scores [group A: 9.9, 95% CI ± 2.8; group B: 12.6, 95% CI ± 4.2 (p = 0.82)] and change in RSI scores [group A: 9.3, 95% CI ± 3.0; group B: 8.7, 95% CI ± 2.9 [p = 0.75]). CONCLUSIONS: Gaviscon® Advance alone is effective in treating symptoms of LPR, while co-prescription with a high-dose PPI offers no additional benefit.

Effect of testosterone therapy on the female voice.

OBJECTIVES: This prospective study was designed to investigate the effect of testosterone, delivered by subcutaneous implants, on the female voice. METHODS: Ten women who had opted for testosterone therapy were recruited for voice analysis. Voices were recorded prior to treatment and at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months while on testosterone therapy. Acoustic samples were collected with subjects reading a sentence, reading a paragraph, and participating in a conversation. Significant changes in the voice over time were investigated using a repeated-measures analysis of variance with the fundamental frequency (F0) as a response variable. Demographic variables associated with characteristics of the voice were assessed. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in average F0 related to smoking history, menopausal status, weight, or body mass index. There was no difference in average fundamental speaking frequency (sentence, paragraph, conversation) between the pre-treatment group and any post-treatment group at 3 and 12 months. There was an increase in sentence speech F0 at 6 months. Two of three patients with lower than expected F0 at baseline improved on testosterone therapy. CONCLUSION: Therapeutic levels of testosterone, delivered by subcutaneous implant, had no adverse affect on the female voice including lowering or deepening of the voice.

Change of speech fundamental frequency explains the satisfaction with voice in response to testosterone therapy in female-to-male gender dysphoric individuals.

Previous studies demonstrated that there is a significant change in speaking fundamental frequency after testosterone therapy in female-to-male gender dysphoric individuals. It is yet an open question how the satisfaction with voice alteration can be predicted because until now it is not clear whether a testosterone therapy is sufficiently effective. The aim of the current study was not only to measure satisfaction with voice, but additionally to detect factors that predict or explain satisfaction with voice after testosterone therapy. Therefore, nine female-to-male gender dysphoric individuals were examined during the first year of testosterone treatment at different points of time. The patients underwent several voice analyses within 1 year and had to fill out several questionnaires concerning their voice, depressive symptoms, quality of life and voice handicap index. Multiple regression analyses were performed to find the factors that explained satisfaction with altered voice after 1 year. The difference of voice frequency in semitones before the treatment and after 1 year is the only significant predictor for satisfaction after 1 year (B = 0.442; SE = 0.049) and more important than the absolute fundamental frequency.

Effects of testosterone on speech production and perception: Linking hormone levels in males to vocal cues and female voice attractiveness ratings.

This study sets out to investigate the potential effect of males' testosterone level on speech production and speech perception. Regarding speech production, we investigate intra- and inter-individual variation in mean fundamental frequency (fo) and formant frequencies and highlight the potential interacting effect of another hormone, i.e. cortisol. In addition, we investigate the influence of different speech materials on the relationship between testosterone and speech production. Regarding speech perception, we investigate the potential effect of individual differences in males' testosterone level on ratings of attractiveness of female voices. In the production study, data is gathered from 30 healthy adult males ranging from 19 to 27 years (mean age: 22.4, SD: 2.2) who recorded their voices and provided saliva samples at 9 am, 12 noon and 3 pm on a single day. Speech material consists of sustained vowels, counting, read speech and a free description of pictures. Biological measures comprise speakers' height, grip strength, and hormone levels (testosterone and cortisol). In the perception study, participants were asked to rate the attractiveness of female voice stimuli (sentence stimulus, same-speaker pairs) that were manipulated in three steps regarding mean fo and formant frequencies. Regarding speech production, our results show that testosterone affected mean fo (but not formants) both within and between speakers. This relationship was weakened in speakers with high cortisol levels and depended on the speech material. Regarding speech perception, we found female stimuli with higher mean fo and formants to be rated as sounding more attractive than stimuli with lower mean fo and formants. Moreover, listeners with low testosterone showed an increased sensitivity to vocal cues of female attractiveness. While our results of the production study support earlier findings of a relationship between testosterone and mean fo in males (which is mediated by cortisol), they also highlight the relevance of the speech material: The effect of testosterone was strongest in sustained vowels, potentially due to a strengthened effect of hormones on physiologically strongly influenced tasks such as sustained vowels in contrast to more free speech tasks such as a picture description. The perception study is the first to show an effect of males' testosterone level on female attractiveness ratings using voice stimuli.

Dose-response analysis of testosterone replacement therapy in patients with female to male gender identity disorder.

Gender identity disorder (GID) is a conflict between a person's actual physical gender and the one they identify him or herself with. Testosterone is the key agent in the medical treatment of female to male GID patients. We conducted a dose-response analysis of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in 138 patients to determine the onset of the therapeutic effects. The TRT consisted of intramuscular injection of testosterone enanthate and patients were divided into three groups; 250 mg every two weeks, 250 mg every three weeks and 125 mg every two weeks. The onset of deepening of voice, increase in facial hair and cessation of menses was evaluated in each group. At one month after the start of TRT, the onset of these physical changes was more prevalent in the group receiving the higher dose of testosterone, and there were dose-dependent effects observed between the three treatment groups. On the other hand, at six months after the start of TRT, most of the patients had achieved treatment responses and there were no dose-dependent effects with regard to the percentage of patients with therapeutic effects. No significant side effects were observed in any of the treatment groups. We demonstrated that the early onset of the treatment effects of TRT is dose-dependent, but within six months of starting TRT, all three doses were highly effective. Current study provides useful information to determine the initial dose of TRT and to suggest possible changes that should be made in the continuous dosage for long term TRT.

Comparison of speaking fundamental frequency between premenopausal women and postmenopausal women with and without hormone therapy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) in pre- and postmenopausal women with and without hormone therapy (HT) and with low and high body mass index (BMI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The SFF of premenopausal women with low BMI (n = 22) was compared with the SFF of premenopausal women with high BMI (n = 13), postmenopausal women with HT and low BMI (n = 35), postmenopausal women with HT and high BMI (n = 19), postmenopausal women without HT and with low BMI (n = 28) and postmenopausal women without HT and with high BMI (n = 12) using ANCOVA and post hoc tests. RESULTS: A significantly lower SFF of the voice was only found in postmenopausal women without HT and with a low BMI. CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the menopause lowers the voice with approximately 14 Hz and that HT and adipose tissue (high BMI) might counteract the menopausal drop in SFF.

Vocalization assessed by electrolaryngography is unaffected by topical lidocaine anesthesia: a prospective, crossover, randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Topical anesthesia of the upper airway is often recommended when difficulty in airway management is anticipated. There are published reports, however, of administration of topical anesthesia resulting in complete loss of airway control. Adverse effects are mostly attributed to interference with involuntary protective airway reflexes, while gross motor function itself generally is thought to be preserved. We hypothesized that if motor control is affected, measurable quantitative changes in vocalization should follow the use of topical anesthesia. METHODS: A prospective, crossover, randomized, double-blind study was conducted, in which 24 healthy volunteers each performed 2 vocal exercises, while having their glottic appearance recorded digitally via fiberoptic nasendoscopy. Subjects gargled with 3 test solutions on separate occasions (placebo, 2% lidocaine, and 4% lidocaine) and repeated the vocal exercises and nasendoscopy. The angle between the vocal cords was measured using MB-Ruler®, and the Laryngograph Speech Studio® software was used for vocal parameter analysis. RESULTS: The only significant changes in voice quality occurred between the control and test groups (P = 0.014). No difference could be found between the placebo and lidocaine groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although gargling with local anesthetic affected vocalization, no pharmacological effect attributable to local anesthetic was observed.

Effects of Particle Size of Inhaled Corticosteroid on the Voice.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to determine if inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) particle size influences the development of laryngitis including candida laryngitis, dysphonia, or vocalis muscle atrophy in asthmatic patients. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. METHODS: Medical records of patients from a quaternary care laryngology practice who have asthma were reviewed retrospectively. Subjects were divided into two groups determined by the particle size of their ICS, small or standard. Each patient only used one type of inhaler. All subjects had been seen in the office for dysphonia evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed on the collected data using χ2 analysis with Yate's Correction for categorical data and a student t-test for means. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in vocal fold atrophy rate between groups. CONCLUSION: Routine use of standard particle size ICS is associated with more atrophy than small size ICS.

Clinical Features of Essential Voice Tremor and Associations with Tremor Severity and Response to Octanoic Acid Treatment.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to characterize the clinical features, tremor variability, and factors related to octanoic acid (OA) treatment response in essential voice tremor (EVT). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, double blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study with secondary analysis. METHODS: Clinical tremor features in 16 individuals with EVT were comprehensively assessed, and correlations with acoustic tremor severity were determined. Intrasubject and intersubject variability measures were analyzed from 18 repeated measures for each acoustic tremor variable. Clinical correlates of treatment response were evaluated, and cumulative effects over a 2-week period of OA drug dosing were assessed. RESULTS: Participants with EVT were 90% female with a mean age of 70.31 (±8.68) years at the time of testing. Neurologist-rated body tremor beyond the vocal tract region was present in 69% of participants, and multiple vocal tract regions contributed to the voice tremor. The mean frequency of amplitude tremor was 4.67 Hz (±0.88). Respiratory tremor was evident in 50% of participants. Participants experienced moderate voice-related disability as assessed on the Voice Handicap Index-10 (19.38, ±8.50), and increased speaking effort. Acoustic tremor severity was significantly associated with severity of tremor affecting vocal tract structures. Overall intrasubject consistency was strong (single measures intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.701, P < .01), with high intersubject variability. Acoustic tremor severity was significantly, positively associated with treatment response, and results suggested a cumulative OA benefit for magnitude of amplitude tremor. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified common clinical correlates of EVT and demonstrated positive associations between acoustic tremor severity, severity of affected vocal tract structures, and response to treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2792-E2801, 2021.

Testosterone therapy masculinizes speech and gender presentation in transgender men.

Voice is one of the most noticeably dimorphic traits in humans and plays a central role in gender presentation. Transgender males seeking to align internal identity and external gender expression frequently undergo testosterone (T) therapy to masculinize their voices and other traits. We aimed to determine the importance of changes in vocal masculinity for transgender men and to determine the effectiveness of T therapy at masculinizing three speech parameters: fundamental frequency (i.e., pitch) mean and variation (fo and fo-SD) and estimated vocal tract length (VTL) derived from formant frequencies. Thirty transgender men aged 20 to 40 rated their satisfaction with traits prior to and after T therapy and contributed speech samples and salivary T. Similar-aged cisgender men and women contributed speech samples for comparison. We show that transmen viewed voice change as critical to transition success compared to other masculine traits. However, T therapy may not be sufficient to fully masculinize speech: while fo and fo-SD were largely indistinguishable from cismen, VTL was intermediate between cismen and ciswomen. fo was correlated with salivary T, and VTL associated with T therapy duration. This argues for additional approaches, such as behavior therapy and/or longer duration of hormone therapy, to improve speech transition.

Intracordal Injection of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in 100 Cases of Vocal Fold Atrophy and Scar.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Vocal fold atrophy, scar, and sulcus reduce the vibratory function of the vocal fold mucosa, which causes severe refractory dysphonia. We have reported encouraging preliminary results using an intracordal injection of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and showed improvement in phonatory parameters and voice. The present study summarizes our experience with 100 cases of stiffened vocal folds that were treated with bFGF injections. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review with Interstitial Review Board (IRB) approval. METHODS: Local injection of bFGF was performed in 100 cases of vocal fold pathology, which included 43 cases of vocal fold atrophy, 41 cases with scar, and 16 cases with sulcus. Ten micrograms of bFGF were injected into the vocal folds under topical anesthesia 4 times in each patient. Therapeutic outcomes were examined with maximum phonation time (MPT), voice handicap index-10 (VHI-10), and GRBAS scale. RESULTS: MPT, VHI-10, and GRBAS scores significantly improved in all pathology groups. An improvement on the VHI-10 greater than five points was observed in 82% of atrophy cases, 78% of scar cases, and 67% of sulcus cases. Improvement on the VHI-10 was significantly better in the atrophy group than the scar or sulcus groups. The mild/moderate cases of scar and sulcus showed better improvement than severe cases. CONCLUSIONS: The current large case series indicates positive effects of intracordal injection of bFGF for improvement of voice with no severe adverse events. The effects appeared best for cases of atrophy, while the treatment of severe scar and sulcus requires further improvement. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2059-2064, 2021.

Effects of intramuscular testosterone undecanoate on body composition and bone mineral density in female-to-male transsexuals.

INTRODUCTION: The most common treatment regimen in female-to-male transsexuals is administration of short-acting testosterone esters intramuscularly every 2 weeks. AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-acting intramuscular testosterone undecanoate on body composition and bone mineral density during cross-sex hormone therapy in female-to-male transsexuals. METHODS: Forty-five female-to-male transsexuals (FtMs) were treated with injections of testosterone undecanoate 1,000 mg intramuscularly every 12 weeks over 24 months. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Body composition, bone mineral density, hormone parameters, and lipids were compared after 12 months and after 24 months with baseline values. Sonographic findings in the ovaries and endometrium, clinical and adverse effects during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in lean mass in the FtMs during the study period in comparison with baseline values, whereas no change in BMI, fat mass, and bone mineral density was observed. There was a significant decline in gonadotropins, estradiol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate, sex hormone-binding globulin, and high-density lipoprotein, while testosterone and triglyceride levels increased significantly after 12 and 24 months. Ovaries remained unchanged and no noticeable endometrial pathology was observed. No mortality or morbidity was observed during the study period. We observed a cessation of menstrual bleeding, an increase in clitoral growth, libido, body and beard hair growth, deepened voices and decline in breast size. There was a significant increase in hemoglobin, hematocrit, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase, gamma-glutamyl transferase, and an increase in systolic blood pressure during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in lean mass during the study period in FtMs treated with testosterone undecanoate. Transsexual patients should be monitored for adverse effects on lipid profiles, blood pressure, and erythrocytosis during intramuscular testosterone undecanoate therapy.

Voice outcome after vocal fold injection augmentation with carboxymethyl cellulose versus calcium hydroxyapatite.

BACKGROUND: Vocal fold injection augmentation is a recognised treatment modality for glottic insufficiency. Causes of glottal closure insufficiency include vocal fold paralysis, paresis, atrophy, sulcus vocalis, scarring and vocal fold deficiency after laryngeal surgery. A variety of materials exist for injection augmentation. This study aimed to compare voice improvement after injection augmentation between two injectable materials: carboxymethyl cellulose and calcium hydroxyapatite. METHOD: This retrospective study included 66 consecutive patients with glottic insufficiency who underwent injection augmentation. RESULTS: Among the patients who received their first injection augmentation with carboxymethyl cellulose and their second injection augmentation with calcium hydroxyapatite (n = 28), voice quality improved significantly after both injection augmentations. No significant differences were observed in any of the objective and subjective voice quality measurements examined following carboxymethyl cellulose and calcium hydroxyapatite injections. CONCLUSION: Voice improvement after injection augmentation depends mainly on the improvement of glottic closure, rather than the injection material.

Rapid pitch correction in choir singers.

Highly and moderately skilled choral singers listened to a perfect fifth reference, with the instruction to complement the fifth such that a major triad resulted. The fifth was suddenly and unexpectedly shifted in pitch, and the singers' task was to shift the fundamental frequency of the sung tone accordingly. The F0 curves during the transitions often showed two phases, an initial quick and large change followed by a slower and smaller change, apparently intended to fine-tune voice F0 to complement the fifth. Anesthetizing the vocal folds of moderately skilled singers tended to delay the reaction. The means of the response times varied in the range 197- 259 ms depending on direction and size of the pitch shifts, as well as on skill and anesthetization.

Evaluation of the effects of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus and levodopa treatment on parkinsonian voice using perturbation, nonlinear dynamic, and perceptual analysis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: To quantify aperiodic phonation, nonlinear dynamic methods of acoustic voice analysis, such as correlation dimension, have been shown to be useful. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the validity of nonlinear dynamic analysis as a voice analysis tool for the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS) and levodopa on patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: In this study, the effects of DBS and levodopa treatment on patients with PD were measured using perturbation, nonlinear dynamic, and perceptual analysis. Nineteen PD patients that received bilateral (n = 9), left (n = 7), or right (n = 3) DBS performed sustained vowel phonations, which were recorded before and after medication with the stimulator off and on. Recordings were also taken of 10 PD patients who did not receive DBS surgery before and after medication to provide a baseline. RESULTS: A mixed two-way ANOVA (surgery, medication) generated significant positive treatment effects of DBS only in mean log-transformed D2, which was supported by mean log-transformed shimmer, vF0 (variability in fundamental frequency), and vAm (peak-to-peak amplitude variation). CONCLUSION: These findings may indicate the validity of nonlinear dynamic analysis as a complement to perceptual analysis in clinical PD voice studies.

The Effect of Octanoic Acid on Essential Voice Tremor: A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of octanoic acid on acoustic, perceptual, and functional aspects of essential voice tremor (EVT). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. METHODS: Sixteen participants with a diagnosis of EVT were randomized to a 3-week dosing condition of octanoic acid or placebo, followed by a 2-week washout period and crossover to the other condition for an additional 3 weeks. Baseline and post-testing sessions were completed before and at the completion of each condition. Primary outcome measures were the magnitude of amplitude and frequency tremor, measured from the acoustic signal. Secondary outcomes were auditory-perceptual ratings of tremor severity and self-ratings of voice handicap. RESULTS: Magnitude of amplitude and frequency tremor were significantly lower after 3 weeks of octanoic acid dosing as compared to the placebo condition. Auditory-perceptual ratings of tremor severity did not show significant differences between conditions. A trend toward better voice was seen for the sustained vowel ratings, but not the sentence-level ratings. No significant differences between conditions were seen on self-reported voice disability as assessed on the Voice Handicap Index-10. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this controlled investigation support the potential utility of octanoic acid for reducing the magnitude of tremor in people with EVT. Further research is needed to determine whether different dosing or treatment combinations can improve functional communication in EVT. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1 Laryngoscope, 129:1882-1890, 2019.

Spasmodic Dysphonia in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment With Botulin Toxin A: A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effect of botulin toxin A in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) affected by spasmodic dysphonia (SD) and to show the safety and effectiveness of this treatment in long-term observation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a pilot study on three relapsing-remitting MS patients with SD and their response to botulin toxin A. RESULTS: None of the patients reported dysphagia or other adverse events. Significant improvement was observed in terms of both voice quality and laryngostroboscopy results. The treatment effect was durable for 6-8 months. CONCLUSIONS: Botulin toxin A is a safe treatment that can be successfully used to treat SD in patients with MS. Larger studies are necessary to confirm our results.

Effect of Hormonal Replacement Therapy on Voice.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of hormonal therapy (HRT) on voice in a group of menopausal women, taking into consideration body mass index (BMI) as a confounding factor and its potential role as a substitute for HRT. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A total of 53 menopausal women, 34 not on HRT and 19 on HRT, were recruited. Demographic variables included age, gender, smoking, and BMI. All subjects were asked about the presence or absence of the following symptoms: hoarseness, deepening of the voice, pitch breaks, throat clearing, dryness in the throat, and vocal fatigue. Acoustic analysis was performed, and Voice Handicap Index-10 was also completed. RESULTS: The mean BMI was 25.90 ± 5.39 and 25.77 ± 4.26 in patients on HRT and not on HRT, respectively. There was no statistical difference in the Voice Handicap Index-10 score and the prevalence of any of the phonatory symptoms in menopausal women not on HRT compared with menopausal women on HRT. However, menopausal women not on HRT had significantly lower habitual pitch than those on HRT (P value of 0.022). On the other hand, the jitter was significantly higher in those on HRT (P value of 0.033). CONCLUSION: Hormonal therapy has an impact on the habitual pith in menopausal women with comparable BMI. Those on HRT have a higher habitual pitch than those not on HRT.

Impact of levodopa treatment in the voice pattern of Parkinson's disease patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Investigate the association between levodopa therapy and vocal characteristics in Parkinson's disease patients. SEARCH STRATEGY: Studies published at MEDLINE, LILACS, and SciELO, from 1960 to December 2016. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed using the following keywords: Parkinson's disease; levodopa; L-dopa; voice; speech disorders; dysphonia; dysarthria. After analyzing titles and abstracts, two independent reviewers selected all clinical trials that met the eligibility criteria and selected the articles and the data recorded in a previously standardized table. SELECTION CRITERIA: Trials published in English between 1960 and December 2016 individuals with clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease; use of levodopa therapy in stable doses; acoustic analysis combined or not with auditory-perceptual analysis to evaluate the vocal parameters under investigation. DATA ANALYSIS: The following vocal parameters were analyzed: fundamental frequency (F 0), jitter, and vocal intensity. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis V2 software. RESULTS: Nine articles met the eligibility criteria and were selected, with a total of 119 individuals. From these, six articles with 83 individuals were included in the meta-analysis. During the levodopa therapy "on" state, modifications in F 0 (SMD=0.39; 95% CI - 0.21-0.57) and jitter (SMD=0.23; 95% CI - 0.02-0.45) were observed. Vocal intensity was not affected (SMD=0.09; 95% CI - 0.22-0.39) by levodopa ingestion. Data of the included studies were controversial in the auditory-perceptual analysis of voice. CONCLUSION: Levodopa therapy modifies F0 and jitter. No changes in vocal intensity were observed in either the "on" or "off" states of levodopa therapy.

A novel technique to identify the nerve of origin in head and neck schwannomas.

OBJECTIVE: Identifying the nerve of origin in head and neck schwannomas is a diagnostic challenge. Surgical management leads to a risk of permanent deficit. Accurate identification of the nerve would improve operative planning and patient counselling. METHODS: Three patients with head and neck schwannomas underwent a diagnostic procedure hypothesised to identify the nerve of origin. The masses were infiltrated with 1 per cent lidocaine solution, and the patients were observed for neurological deficits. RESULTS: All three patients experienced temporary loss of nerve function after lidocaine injection. Facial nerve palsy, voice changes with documented unilateral same-side vocal fold paralysis, and numbness in the distribution of the maxillary nerve (V2), respectively, led to a likely identification of the nerve of origin. CONCLUSION: Injection of lidocaine into a schwannoma is a safe, in-office procedure that produces a temporary nerve deficit, which may enable accurate identification of the nerve of origin of a schwannoma. Identifying the nerve of origin enhances operative planning and patient counselling.