Laryngeal Microsurgery for the Treatment of Vocal Nodules and Cysts in Dysphonic Children.

INTRODUCTION: Vocal nodules and cysts are frequent causes of infantile dysphonia. Vocal therapy is the first treatment. Microsurgery has restricted indications, especially for nodules. OBJECTIVE: To describe our experience with microsurgery for nodules and cysts in children. METHODS: Dysphonic children (aged 4-18 years) with the diagnosis of nodules and vocal cysts were initially selected. Of these children, only those were included who had undergone microsurgery. For nodules and cysts, the microsurgery was indicated in cases of failure of vocal therapy and in cases of voice worsening or doubts about the diagnosis. All children were submitted to auditory perceptual vocal analysis and videolaryngostroboscopy (before and after surgery, after 6 months). Surgical outcomes were: total improvement (disappearance of vocal symptoms and of the laryngeal lesions); partial improvement (partial improvement of symptoms and/or maintenance of lesions); no improvement (maintenance or worsening of the symptoms and/or persistence of the lesions). -Results: There were 78 children with vocal nodules and 27 children with vocal cysts. Surgery was indicated for 12 children with vocal nodules (15.4%) and 12 children with cysts (44.4%). Total improvement registered for nodules and cysts was 75 and 83.4%, respectively. Partial improvement for both lesions was 25 and 16.6%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The best outcome for laryngeal microsurgery in dysphonic children was for vocal cysts. So, we encourage laryngologists for this conduct in vocal cysts. The success of microsurgery for vocal nodules was lower, and in these cases voice therapy seems to be the best treatment.

Clinical practice: vocal nodules in dysphonic children.

Common among children, vocal symptoms are a cause of concern for parents who seek elucidation of their diagnosis and treatment. Vocal nodules are the major cause of dysphonias in children and are related to vocal abuse. We conducted a literature review considering clinical, physiopathological, epidemiological, and histological aspects of vocal nodules, as well as diagnostic methods, highlighting the main studies addressing this issue. The controversial points of treatments were also discussed.

Reinke Edema: Factors that Interfere with Vocal Recovery after Surgery.

Introduction Dysphonia and lower pitch after surgery of Reinke edema are common. They are caused especially due to chronic smoking but, probably, other factors should be associated. Objectives To evaluate the results of laryngeal microsurgery in patients with Reinke edema, following a standardized postoperative guidance protocol in our service. Methods Retrospective study. Thirty patients (3 males; 27 females) were included, 70% between 41 and 60 years old. The parameters analyzed in the pre- and postoperative (between 4 and 6 months) of patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery for Reinke edema were: smoking, vocal symptoms, videolaryngostroboscopy, voice therapy, perceptual and acoustic vocal evaluation, histopathological report. Results Smoking was reported by 100% of the patients and maintained in the postoperative period by 80%. Complete improvement of symptoms in the postoperative period was reported by 43% of them, partial improvement by 40%, and maintenance by 17%. There was low adherence to voice therapy in the pre- and postsurgery. Postoperative videolaryngoscopy indicated congestion (19), atrophy and bowed vocal fold (1), subepithelial edema (2), and normal findings (8). The histological findings were subepithelial edema, enlargement of vessels, inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, and thickening of the basement membrane. The perceptual and acoustic vocal analyzes indicated improvement of the analyzed parameters. Conclusions The maintenance of some vocal symptoms and laryngeal alterations in videolaryngoscopy after microsurgery of Reinke edema is frequent, even in patients who follow the recommendations of vocal rest and control of gastroesophageal reflux. Vocal symptoms are attributed to changes in the laryngeal mucosa caused by chronic smoking, aggravated by the maintenance of addiction in the postoperative period.

Laryngeal Web as a Possible Cause for Nonabsorption of Vocal Nodules in Boys After Puberty.

OBJECTIVES: Vocal nodules are frequent in children and tend to be reabsorbed after puberty, especially in boys. The aims of the present study were to analyze the progression of nodules in boys after puberty and to investigate the role of microweb in the persistence of these lesions. METHODS: Clinical and videolaryngoscopy evaluations were carried out in boys with vocal nodules treated between 2009 and 2016, followed up to the age of 17 years or until remission of symptoms and reabsorption of the nodules. Boys with vocal nodules who underwent regular vocal therapy are included in the study. The outcomes were remission of symptoms and of the nodular lesions. RESULTS: A total of 34 boys with vocal nodules were diagnosed, of which 21 completed follow-up. Mean age of the first evaluation was 9 years (5-11 years) and of end of treatment was 14 years (13-18 years). Mean number of videolaryngoscopy per child was five. After adolescence there was complete remission of symptoms and of the lesions in 15 children (71.4%), partial remission in four (19.0%), and no remission of symptoms and of the lesions in two cases. In these two, videolaryngoscopy identified the presence of microweb and nodules. CONCLUSIONS: Favorable reabsorption of the vocal nodules after adolescence was observed in the majority of the boys who underwent voice therapy; however, in two cases there was no remission of symptoms and of the lesions. The unfavorable course can be attributed to anterior laryngeal microwebs.

Treatment of Laryngeal Granulomas.

Introduction Laryngeal granulomas are benign, recurrent lesions of many causes (reflux, voice abuse, intubation, and idiopathic), which renders its treatment difficult. Objective To describe our experience in the treatment of laryngeal granulomas. Methods From 16 medical records of the patients with laryngeal granulomas seen between 2010 and 2017 in a university hospital, the following data were analyzed: age, gender, vocal and gastroesophageal symptoms, vocal overuse, intubation, treatments, videolaryngoscopy before and after the treatment. Results Gender: female, 10; male, 6. Age: between 20 and 60 years old (11). Etiology of the granulomas: intubation (9), reflux (4), idiopathic (3). The initial treatments adopted in all cases were: inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate 100 µg 12/12 hours (1 month), proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole 40 mg/day (2 months), and dietary and voice education. After this period, 10 patients (7 postintubation, 3 idiopathic) were submitted to surgery, since no improvements in the symptoms or in the lesions were seen. Of these, two recurred, requiring a second surgery, one of which recurred six times and received botulinum toxin A. Only one patient with granulomas due to laryngopharyngeal reflux presented no improvement in the symptoms nor in the lesion after the pharmacological treatment and had been submitted to microsurgery. All of the other patients with reflux granulomas were successfully treated with the drug treatment, and the longest treatment time for complete remission of the symptoms and of the lesions was 9 months. Conclusions In laryngeal granulomas caused by reflux, treatment with inhaled steroids and proton pump inhibitors proved to be effective, although prolonged. In postintubation and idiopathic granulomas, surgery was the best treatment.

Reinke Edema: Factors that Interfere with Vocal Recovery after Surgery

Abstract Introduction Dysphonia and lower pitch after surgery of Reinke edema are common. They are caused especially due to chronic smoking but, probably, other factors should be associated. Objectives To evaluate the results of laryngeal microsurgery in patients with Reinke edema, following a standardized postoperative guidance protocol in our service. Methods Retrospective study. Thirty patients (3 males; 27 females) were included, 70% between 41 and 60 years old. The parameters analyzed in the pre- and postoperative (between 4 and 6 months) of patients undergoing laryngeal microsurgery for Reinke edema were: smoking, vocal symptoms, videolaryngostroboscopy, voice therapy, perceptual and acoustic vocal evaluation, histopathological report. Results Smoking was reported by 100% of the patients and maintained in the postoperative period by 80%. Complete improvement of symptoms in the postoperative period was reported by 43% of them, partial improvement by 40%, and maintenance by 17%. There was low adherence to voice therapy in the pre- and postsurgery. Postoperative videolaryngoscopy indicated congestion (19), atrophy and bowed vocal fold (1), subepithelial edema (2), and normal findings (8). The histological findings were subepithelial edema, enlargement of vessels, inflammation, epithelial hyperplasia, and thickening of the basement membrane. The perceptual and acoustic vocal analyzes indicated improvement of the analyzed parameters. Conclusions The maintenance of some vocal symptoms and laryngeal alterations in videolaryngoscopy after microsurgery of Reinke edema is frequent, even in patients who follow the recommendations of vocal rest and control of gastroesophageal reflux. Vocal symptoms are attributed to changes in the laryngeal mucosa caused by chronic smoking, aggravated by the maintenance of addiction in the postoperative period.

Perceptual and acoustic parameters of vocal nodules in children.

UNLABELLED: Vocal nodules constitute the major cause of dysphonia during childhood. Auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal analyses have been used to differentiate vocal nodules from normal voice in children. PURPOSE: To study the value of auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal analyses in assessments of children with nodules. DESIGN: Diagnostic test study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A comparative study was carried out including 100 children with videolaryngoscopic diagnosis of vocal nodules (nodule group-NG); and 100 children without vocal symptoms and with normal videolaryngoscopic exams (control group-CG). The age range of both groups was between 4 and 11 years. All children underwent auditory-perceptual vocal analyses (GRBASI scale); maximum phonation time and s/z ratio were calculated, and acoustic vocal analysis (MDVP software) were carried out. RESULTS: There was no difference in the values of maximum phonation time and s/z ratio between groups. Auditory-perceptual analysis indicated greater compromising of voice parameters for NG, compared to CG: G (79 versus 24), R (53 versus 3), B (67 versus 23) and S (35 versus 1). The values of acoustic parameters jitter, PPQ, shimmer, APQ, NHR and SPI were higher for NG for CG. The parameter f0 did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Compromising of auditory-perceptual (G, R, B and S) and acoustic vocal parameters (jitter, PPQ, shimmer, APQ, NHR and SPI) was greater for children with nodules than for those of the control group, which makes them important methods for assessing child dysphonia.

Treatment of Laryngeal Granulomas

Abstract Introduction Laryngeal granulomas are benign, recurrent lesions of many causes (reflux, voice abuse, intubation, and idiopathic), which renders its treatment difficult. Objective To describe our experience in the treatment of laryngeal granulomas. Methods From 16 medical records of the patients with laryngeal granulomas seen between 2010 and 2017 in a university hospital, the following data were analyzed: age, gender, vocal and gastroesophageal symptoms, vocal overuse, intubation, treatments, videolaryngoscopy before and after the treatment. Results Gender: female, 10; male, 6. Age: between 20 and 60 years old (11%). Etiology of the granulomas: intubation (9), reflux (4), idiopathic (3). The initial treatments adopted in all cases were: inhaled beclomethasone dipropionate 100 μg 12/12 hours (1month), proton pump inhibitor, omeprazole 40 mg/day (2months), and dietary and voice education. After this period, 10 patients (7 postintubation, 3 idiopathic) were submitted to surgery, since no improvements in the symptoms or in the lesions were seen. Of these, two recurred, requiring a second surgery, one of which recurred six times and received botulinum toxin A. Only one patient with granulomas due to laryngopharyngeal reflux presented no improvement in the symptoms nor in the lesion after the pharmacological treatment and had been submitted to microsurgery. All of the other patients with reflux granulomas were successfully treated with the drug treatment, and the longest treatment time for complete remission of the symptoms and of the lesions was 9 months. Conclusions In laryngeal granulomas caused by reflux, treatment with inhaled steroids and proton pump inhibitors proved to be effective, although prolonged. In postintubation and idiopathic granulomas, surgery was the best treatment.

Parâmetros vocais perceptivo-auditivos e acústicos em crianças com nódulos vocais / Parameters vocal perceptual and acoustic in the children with vocal nodules

Nódulos vocais são as principais causas de disfonias infantis. As análises vocais perceptivo-auditivas e acústicas têm sido utilizadas para diferenciar as vozes de crianças com nódulos, de vozes normais. Determinar os parâmetros vocais perceptivo-auditivos e acústicos em crianças de quatro a 11 anos com diagnóstico de nódulos vocais. Realizado estudo comparativo que incluiu 100 crianças de quatro a 11 anos, com diagnóstico videolaringoscópico de nódulos vocais (grupo nódulos-GN) e 100 crianças da mesma faixa etária, sem sintomas vocais e com exames de videolaringoscopia normais (grupo controle-GC). Todas foram submetidas às análises vocais perceptivo-auditivas (escala GRBASI), ao cálculo do Tempo Máximo de Fonação e da relação s/z e à análise vocal acústica (programa MDVP). Crianças com nódulos vocais (GN) apresentaram valores menores do TMF, especialmente para os fonemas /z/ e /a/ (p<0,05). O TMF aumentou com a idade em ambos os grupos e a relação /s/z não se deferiu. As avaliações perceptivo auditivas indicaram maior comprometimento nas crianças do grupo nódulos do que do controle, nos parâmetros: G (79 versus 24), R (53 versus 3), B (67 versus 23) e Strain (35 versus 1). As medidas acústicas Jitter, Pich Perturbation Quotient (PPQ), Shimmer, Amplitude Perturbation Quotient (APQ), Noise Harmonic Ratio (NHR) e Soft Phonation Index (SPI) mostraram-se mais elevados no grupo nódulos. O parâmetro f0 não diferiu entre os grupos. Os parâmetros vocais Tempo Máximo de Fonação (TMF), perceptivo-auditivos (GRBS) e acústicos (Jitter, PPQ, Shimmer, APQ, NHR e SPI) mostraram-se mais comprometidos nas crianças com nódulos, sendo importantes métodos de avaliação nas disfonias infantis...

Vocal nodules constitute the major causes of dysphonia during childhood. Auditoryperceptual and acoustic vocal analyses have been used to differentiate voice with nodules from normal voice in children. To study the value of auditory-perceptual and acoustic vocal analyses in assessments of children with nodules. A comparative study was carried out including 100 children aged between 4 and 11 years, with videolaryngoscopic diagnosis of vocal nodules (nodule group), and 100 children within the same age range, without vocal symptoms and with normal videolaryngoscopic exams (control group). All children were subjected to auditory-perceptual vocal analyses (GRBASI scale), calculation of Maximum Phonation Time and s/z ratio, and acoustic vocal analysis (MDVP software). There was no difference in the values of maximum phonation time and s/z ratio between groups. Auditory-perceptual analysis indicated greater compromising of voice parameters for the nodule than for the control group: G (79 versus 24), R (53 versus 3), B (67 versus 23) and S (35 versus 1). The acoustic parameters jitter, PPQ, shimmer, APQ, NHR and SPI showed higher values in the nodule than in the control group. The parameter f0 did not differ between groups...