Characteristics of Euphony in Direct and Indirect Mucosal Wave Imaging Techniques.

OBJECTIVES: There is a necessity to include objective methods to the study protocol of voice. Such procedure will help not only in diagnosing and monitoring the course of treatment, but also in comparing the results of studies between research centers. METHODS: Vocal fold mucosal wave characteristics of 70 healthy people were made using videostrobokymographic open quotient (VSKOQ) and electroglottographic quasi-open quotient (EGGQOQ). RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were achieved regarding gender for the averaged values of VSKOQ as well as for values calculated from the posterior part of the vocal folds. A statistically significant correlation between the value of VSKOQ and age was observed for the posterior part of the glottis. Differences between gender and the value of EGGQOQ were observed. No statistically significant correlation between EGGQOQ and age was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: VSKOQ and EGGQOQ are parameters characterizing glottal function in a coherent manner. These parameters can be included easily in phoniatric examination and help to objectify glottal function.

High-speed Videolaryngoscopy: Quantitative Parameters of Glottal Area Waveforms and High-speed Kymography in Healthy Individuals.

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a study to obtain quantitative parameters of the vocal dynamic using high-speed videolaryngoscopy and to characterize the vocal fold vibration pattern of healthy individuals by analyzing glottal area waveforms and high-speed kymography. METHODS: Laryngeal images of 45 healthy individuals were captured using high-speed videolaryngoscopy. The open and speed quotients of the glottal area waveforms and high-speed kymography were obtained and statistically analyzed according to the gender of each individual. RESULTS: Glottal area waveforms revealed average values of 0.85 and 1.16 for open and speed quotients, respectively, for women, and 0.70 and 1.19 for men. Using high-speed kymography, quantitative parameters of open and speed quotients for women were 0.62 and 1.02, respectively, and for men were 0.57 and 1.12. By gender, a significant statistical difference emerged for open quotients obtained from both glottal area waveforms (P = 0.004) and high-speed kymography (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Obtained by using computational tools specifically for analyzing laryngeal images from high-speed videolaryngoscopy, quantitative parameters of glottal area waveforms and high-speed kymography in healthy individuals provide reference data and normality for future studies.

Vocal fold vibration amplitude, open quotient, speed quotient and their variability along glottal length: kymographic data from normal subjects.

Abstract Quantitative knowledge about healthy vocal fold vibration characteristics provides the basis for an objective assessment of vocal fold vibrations. In this study, using high-speed videolaryngoscopy the alterations of the relative vibration amplitudes, open quotients, and speed quotients were analyzed along the glottal length in 30 male and 30 female healthy subjects. The maximum vibration amplitude was identified at 41.1% ± 10.8% and 46.5% ± 18.0% of the visible glottal length in females and males, respectively. The average open quotients decreased in females and males from posterior to anterior, while the speed quotients did not change systematically. The reported normative values can be used to distinguish normal and abnormal vibrations in clinical practice when aiming at quantitative diagnosis of functional voice disorders.