Bilateral Vocal Fold Abduction Dysfunction: A Report of Two Neonatal Cases.

Stridor is caused by oscillation of the narrowed upper airway. The most common cause of neonatal stridor is laryngomalacia, followed by vocal fold abduction dysfunction. Herein, we present two neonatal cases of idiopathic dysfunction of vocal fold abduction. A neonate was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on day 4 of life for inspiratory stridor, intermittent subcostal retraction, and cyanosis. A second neonate was admitted to the NICU on day 7 of life for inspiratory stridor and cyanosis when crying. Neither patient had dysmorphic features or unusual cardiac ultrasonography findings. The diagnosis was confirmed by laryngo-bronchoscopy. Conservative treatment with biphasic positive airway pressure was effective in both cases and symptoms resolved within a few months. Resolution of vocal fold abduction dysfunction was confirmed by repeat endoscopy. Clinical manifestations of vocal fold abduction dysfunction vary widely. Although most cases resolve spontaneously, prolonged tube feeding, or even tracheostomy, is needed in some severe cases. Diagnosis of vocal fold abduction dysfunction requires a laryngo-bronchoscopy study; thus, there may be a large number of undiagnosed patients. Vocal fold abduction dysfunction should be considered in the differential diagnosis for neonatal inspiratory stridor.

Neuropatía laríngea y movimiento paradojal de cuerdas vocales en la edad pediátrica: reporte de un caso / Laryngeal neuropathy and paradoxical vocal fold motion in the pediatric age: case report

Resumen La neuropatía laríngea es una condición de hipersensibilidad, hiperreactividad e hiper-función laríngea secundaria a un desequilibrio entre las aferencias y eferencias laríngeas. La respuesta individual y exagerada frente a diversos gatillantes específicos puede generar síntomas como tos crónica, parestesia laríngea, carraspera, disfonía, estridor, sensación de globus faríngeo, movimiento paradojal de las cuerdas vocales (también conocido como disfunción cordal) y/o laringoespasmo. Existe abundante literatura sobre neuropatía laríngea en adultos, sin embargo, en niños es limitada. El objetivo de este artículo es dar a conocer un caso de neuropatía laríngea en la edad pediátrica y la importancia de su consideración en el enfrentamiento de estos pacientes. Se presenta caso clínico de un paciente de 13 años, con antecedente de cirugía cardiaca reciente, evoluciona con disfonía severa evidenciándose aparente inmovilidad cordal bilateral con resultados discordantes entre nasofibrolaringoscopía y electromiografía laríngea. Posteriormente presenta mejorías en su voz, sin embargo, se agregan otros síntomas laringológicos como carraspera, globus faríngeo y estridor no explicados por causas anatómicas. Se expone la evaluación y abordaje otorrinolaringológico-fonoaudiológico para el caso. Se concluye que el diagnóstico de neuropatía laríngea requiere un alto índice de sospecha clínica ante signos laringológicos sugerentes, debiendo descartarse causas orgánicas y estructurales. El abordaje otorrinolaringológico-fonoaudiológico constituye el pilar terapéutico asociado al uso de neuromoduladores en casos seleccionados.

Abstract Laryngeal neuropathy is a condition of hypersensitivity, hyperresponsiveness and laryngeal hyperfunction secondary to an imbalance between laryngeal afferent and efferent information. The individual and exaggerated response to diverse specific triggers can lead to symptoms such as chronic cough, laryngeal paresthesia, throat clearing, dysphonia, stridor, globus pharyngeus, vocal cord dysfunction, and/or laryngospasm. There is plentiful literature on laryngeal neuropathy in adults, however, in children, it is limited. Here, we present a case report of laryngeal neuropathy in the pediatric age and discuss the importance of its consideration in the approach of these patients. A case of a 13-year-old patient, recently intervened with cardiac surgery that evolves with severe dysphonia is presented. Nasofibrolaryngoscopy shows apparent bilateral vocal fold immobility with discordant results in laryngeal electromyography. Later, his voice improves but other laryngological symptoms appeared, such as throat clearing, globus pharyngeus and stridor, not explained by anatomical causes. The otolaryngological-speech therapy evaluation and approach for the case is exposed. We conclude that for the diagnosis of laryngeal neuropathy, a high index of clinical suspicion is required in the presence of suggestive laryngological symptoms, and organic and structural causes must be previously ruled out. The otorhinolaryngological-logopedic approach constitutes the mainstay of treatment associated with the use of neuromodulators in selected cases.

Vocal Fold Movement and Silent Aspiration After Congenital Heart Surgery.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Infants who undergo congenital heart surgery are at risk of developing vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) and swallowing difficulties. This study aims to describe the dysphagia in this population and explore the associations between surgical complexity and vocal fold mobility with dysphagia and airway protection. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of infants (age <12 months) who underwent congenital heart surgery between 7/2008 and 1/2018 and received a subsequent videofluoroscopic swallow study (VFSS). Demographic information, Society of Thoracic Surgeons-European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (STAT) category of each surgery, vocal fold mobility status, and VFSS findings were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Three hundred and seventy-four patients were included in the study. Fifty-four percent of patients were male, 24% were premature, and the average age at the time of VFSS was 59 days. Sixty percent of patients had oral dysphagia and 64% of patients had pharyngeal dysphagia. Fifty-one percent of patients had laryngeal penetration and 45% had tracheal aspiration. Seventy-three percent of these aspirations were silent. There was no association between surgical complexity, as defined by the STAT category, and dysphagia or airway protection findings. Patients with VFMI after surgery were more likely to have silent aspiration (odds ratio = 1.94, P < .01), even when adjusting for other risk factors. CONCLUSION: Infants who undergo congenital heart surgery are at high risk for VFMI and aspiration across all five STAT categories. This study demonstrates the high prevalence of silent aspiration in this population and the need for thorough postoperative swallow evaluation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:701-705, 2022.

Vocal Cord Dysfunction: Rapid Evidence Review.

Vocal cord dysfunction (i.e., vocal cords closing when they should be opening, particularly during inspiration) should be suspected in patients presenting with inspiratory stridor or wheezing; sudden, severe dyspnea (without hypoxia, tachypnea, or increased work of breathing); throat or chest tightness; and anxiety, particularly in females. Common triggers include exercise, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, postnasal drip, upper or lower respiratory tract infection, and irritants. Nasolaryngoscopy and pulmonary function testing, with provocative exercise and methacholine, can help diagnose vocal cord dysfunction and are helpful to evaluate for other etiologies. Conditions that can trigger vocal cord dysfunction should be optimally treated, particularly asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and postnasal drip, while avoiding potential irritants. Therapeutic breathing maneuvers and vocal cord relaxation techniques are first-line therapy for dyspnea that occurs with vocal cord dysfunction. A subset of vocal cord dysfunction leads to dysphonia, as opposed to dyspnea, secondary to abnormal laryngeal muscle spasms (vocal cord closure is less severe). OnabotulinumtoxinA injections may be helpful for spasmodic dysphonia and for treating dyspnea in certain cases, although evidence is limited.

A Life-threatening Complication of Multiple System Atrophy.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 50-year-old woman was initially seen in 2016 for sleep disorders consultation, referred by Neurology because of progressive cerebellar ataxia syndrome with possible autonomic involvement and sleep-disordered breathing described as having stridorous sounds during her sleep. She had initially presented to Neurology because of issues with balance, and she had frequent falls at home. In 2016, her speech was clear, and she was able to ambulate steadily with a cane. She underwent a diagnostic polysomnogram that did not demonstrate clinically significant sleep apnea. However, the study demonstrated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep without atonia in 62% of REM epochs (normal, up to 27%) and a soft inspiratory stridor during non-REM and REM sleep. The patient was lost to follow-up until she presented to us for reevaluation 3 years later. In the interim, she had been diagnosed with multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type (MSA-C) at another health-care institution.

Visual biofeedback for paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM).

OBJECTIVES: Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) is a common condition where the vocal folds inappropriately adduct during inspiration. This results in dyspnea and occasionally significant distress. The condition is thought to be primarily functional, with behavioural therapy considered mainstay in the non-acute setting. However, practice variations and limited access to speech language pathology (SLP) services can pose management challenges. We aimed to examine the efficacy of surgeon performed visual biofeedback as first-line treatment for PVFM. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, non-randomized, non-comparative clinical study. METHODS: Adult patients referred for possible PVFM and congruent laryngoscopy findings over a two-year period were included. Patients were excluded if they presented in acute distress, had alternate diagnosis to explain symptomology and/or coexisting untreated lower respiratory pathology. Patients underwent immediate surgeon-performed visual biofeedback on the same visit day. The primary outcome of interest was change in Dyspnea Index (DI) scores pre- and post-intervention 3 months follow-up. The secondary outcome measured was change in asthma medication use from baseline to follow-up. RESULTS: Of 34 patients presenting, 25 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 72% were female with an average age of 36.9 ± 14.1. Approximately 48% of patients had a diagnosis of well-controlled asthma at presentation and co-morbid psychiatric diagnoses were common (52%). Pre- and post-intervention analysis showed significant improvement in DI scores (p < 0.001) and reduction in bronchodilator use (p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: This is a prospective study that evaluates the role of visual biofeedback in PVFM patients. Our data suggests that visual biofeedback effectively reduces short-term subjective symptoms and asthma medication use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Can the Expiratory Disproportion Index Distinguish PVFMD from Subglottic Stenosis in Obese Patients?

OBJECTIVES: Expiratory disproportion index (EDI) is the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) divided by peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) multiplied by 100. Prominent EDI (>50) values can differentiate subglottic stenosis (SGS) from paradoxical vocal fold movement disorder (PVFMD), but this has not been verified when considering body habitus. We hypothesize that the predictive value of elevated EDI in differentiating SGS from PVFMD will be lower in obese patients than non-obese patients. METHODS: Patients ≥ 18 years old with recorded PFT values, BMI, and airway imaging were reviewed retrospectively from 01/2011 to 10/2018. EDI was recorded for 4 cohorts: non-obese/SGS, non-obese/ PVFMD, obese/SGS, and obese/ PVFMD, to determine the mean EDI and the sensitivity/specificity of an elevated EDI. RESULTS: Mean EDI values were 69.32 and 48.38 in the non-obese SGS and PVFMD groups, respectively (P < .01). They were 58.89 and 47.67 in the obese SGS and PVFMD groups, respectively (P < .05). At a threshold of >50, EDI had a sensitivity of 90.0% and specificity of 51.6% in differentiating between SGS and PVFMD cases in non-obese patients and 51.6% and 63.6% in obese patients. CONCLUSION: Prior literature has established that EDI can distinguish SGS from PVFMD in the general population. Our results show that the mean EDI values were significantly different in both cohorts, but an elevated EDI was not as sensitive at identifying SGS cases in obese patients. This suggests that the EDI should be used with caution in obese patients and should not be relied upon to rule out SGS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Outcomes of Paradoxical Vocal Cord Motion Diagnosed in Childhood.

OBJECTIVES: To explore long-term patient reported outcome (PRO) measures of pediatric paradoxical vocal cord motion (PVCM) including ease of diagnosis, management, symptom duration and effect on quality of life. METHODS: All children >8 years of age diagnosed with PVCM at a tertiary pediatric hospital between 2006 and 2017 were invited to complete a survey addressing study objectives. RESULTS: 21/47 eligible participants could be contacted and 18/21 (86%) participated. 78% were female with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.6 and 15.0 years at survey completion. Common PVCM symptoms reported were dyspnea (89%), globus sensation (56%), and stridor (50%). The median time to diagnosis was 3 months (IQR 2-5 months). Nearly all reported being misdiagnosed with another condition, usually asthma, until being correctly diagnosed usually by an otolaryngologist. Participants reported undergoing 3.7 diagnostic studies (range 0-8); pulmonary function testing was most common. Of numerous treatments acknowledged, breathing exercises were common (89%) but only reported helpful by 56%. Use of biofeedback was recalled in 1/3 of subjects but reported helpful in only 14% of them. Anti-reflux, allergy, anticholinergics, inhalers and steroids were each used in >50%, but rarely reported effective. PVCM was reportedly a significant stressor when initially diagnosed but despite 2/3 of participants still reporting ongoing PVCM symptoms, the perceived stress significantly decreased over time (Z = 3.26, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This first PVCM PRO study endorses that diagnosis is often delayed and prescribed treatments often viewed as ineffective. While biofeedback and breathing exercises may be critical for short-term control of PVCM episodes, lifestyle changes and stress reduction are likely necessary for long-term management. Increased awareness and improvements in management are needed for this condition.

Can Ultrasound Identify Paradoxical Vocal Fold Movement? A Pilot Study.

OBJECTIVE: Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is characterized by paradoxical vocal fold movement (PVFM) during inspiration. The aim of this study was to determine whether ultrasound could accurately differentiate between normal and PVFM during respirations in a resting state. DESIGN: Prospective, single-subject design. SETTING: Academic medical center. PATIENTS: A speech-language pathologist who was able to volitionally alternate between normal and PVFM when breathing at rest was recruited to participate in the study. INTERVENTIONS: The subject was instructed to randomly alternate between normal and PVFM 20 times (10 times each). A single investigator imaged the vocal folds using ultrasound and reported when the subject alternated between the 2 respiratory states. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The subject recorded when they changed between the 2 respiratory states, whether the investigator identified with the change occurred, and if the correct respiratory state was identified. RESULTS: The investigator recognized when the subject changed respiratory states and correctly identified the new respiratory state 100% of the time. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of the current study were promising and suggest that ultrasound may have utility in the diagnosis of VCD. However, because of the preliminary nature of these results, further research is required before recommending its clinical implementation.

Predictors of voice outcome in pediatric non-selective laryngeal reinnervation.

OBJECTIVES: Non-selective laryngeal reinnervation (NSLR) using the ansa cervicalis to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) is a promising treatment option for pediatric unilateral neuronal vocal fold movement impairment (VFMI). The aim is to describe our clinical outcomes with this technique and to identify preoperative characteristics that may predict postoperative voice outcomes. METHODS: This is a cohort study of pediatric patients with unilateral neuronal VFMI, who underwent NSLR from March 2012 to July 2018. Pre- and postoperative Pediatric Voice Related Quality of Life (PVRQOL) questionnaires, Consensus Auditory Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) ratings, and objective voice measures were obtained. In addition, patients underwent preoperative laryngeal electromyography (LEMG). RESULTS: Thirty-two patients were identified. Twenty-one had complete data sets for analysis. The mean duration of VFMI was 9.02 years (range 1.1-26.1 years). There were significant improvements in PVRQOL (P = .0005), in all CAPE-V subsets (P ≤ .0001 to .0195), mean and maximum intensities (P = .0342 and 0.0110, respectively), cepstral peak prominence (P = .0001), and cepstral spectral index of dysphonia (P ≤ .0001). A worse preoperative LEMG correlated with a greater change in maximum phonation time (P = .0162) and maximum intensity (P = .0346). Age at injury and duration of injury had no significant impact on voice outcomes; however, patients with concurrent posterior glottic insufficiency did have smaller changes in PVRQOL (P = .012). CONCLUSION: NSLR is an effective treatment for pediatric unilateral neuronal VFMI even many years after initial RLN injury. LEMG may help predict voice outcomes of reinnervation in pediatric patients, but further data is still needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 130:1525-1531, 2020.

Geriatric Dysphonia: Characteristics of Diagnoses in Age-Based Cohorts in a Tertiary Voice Clinic.

OBJECTIVE: An aging population has increased focus on geriatric otolaryngology. Those ≥65 years old are not a uniform population, however, and recent gerontology literature recognizes important physiologic differences between the young-old (ages 65-74 years), middle-old (75-84), and old-old (≥85). This study evaluates differences within these groups among dysphonia patients ≥65 years relative to diagnosis and voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL). METHODS: Chart review of all new patients ≥65 years presenting to the Johns Hopkins Voice Center between April 2015 and March 2017 identified chief complaint, diagnosis, and self-reported voice handicap. Etiology of dysphonia diagnoses were classified. Diagnostic categories and V-RQOL were evaluated as functions of patient age and gender. RESULTS: Of 839 new patients ≥65 years, 463 (55.2%) reported chief complaint of dysphonia, with the most common etiologies being vocal fold immobility (28.3%) and atrophy (21.6%). Younger cohorts were more likely to present with benign vocal fold lesion and vocal fold immobility, while older cohorts were more likely to present with atrophy ( P = .016). The odds of having a diagnosis of vocal fold atrophy increased 7% with each year of life (odds ratio = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11). V-RQOL scores were similar across gender and age categorization. CONCLUSION: Dysphonia patients ≥65 years are not a uniform group, and important differences exist in terms of diagnosis as a function of age. Knowledge of these differences may inform further investigations in the growing field of geriatric otolaryngology.

Gasping for a Diagnosis: Pediatric Vocal Cord Dysfunction.

Vocal cord dysfunction is an obstruction of the upper airway, primarily on inspiration, due to the paradoxical adduction of the vocal cords. Vocal cord dysfunction continues to be underdiagnosed as its own entity. The lack of diagnosis can be attributed to the overlap of symptoms between asthma and exercise-induced bronchospasm. It is possible for patients diagnosed with asthma and/or exercise-induced bronchospasm to have underlying vocal cord dysfunction, which needs to be considered when prescribing asthma medications. This article will review the history of vocal cord dysfunction, the differential diagnosis, diagnostic testing, and the role of the nurse practitioner in caring for these patients.

Perceptual Clinical Features in Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction (EILO): Toward Improved Diagnostic Approaches.

INTRODUCTION: Athletes with exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) (previously commonly referred to as paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder, or paradoxical vocal fold motion, among other terms) are often misdiagnosed, resulting in prolonged, and at times inappropriate, clinical management. The high prevalence of misdiagnosis is largely due to a lack of universal consensus of key clinical features indicating EILO and a dearth of validated quantitative approaches to accurately detect episodic laryngeal breathing disorders (ELBD) from other pathologies. Additionally, mechanisms underlying EILO clinical presentation are poorly understood, further confounding identification and management of the condition. Therefore, the objectives of this study were twofold. The first was to identify patient-centered perception of symptoms that could distinguish adolescent athletes with EILO from athletes without the condition, at baseline (rest) and during an exercise challenge (provocation), and to quantify symptom severities for use as preliminary diagnostic benchmarks. The second objective was to investigate the merit of one commonly proposed mechanism in the EILO literature-stress reactivity (temperament)-by comparing personality traits in athletes with and without EILO. METHODS: Twelve (12) athletes diagnosed with EILO and 14 healthy athletic volunteers without the condition were asked to rate the severity of their present symptoms using a 0-100 continuous visual analog scale. Participants then underwent an exercise challenge with simultaneous laryngoscopy and were asked to complete the same set of symptom severity ratings experienced during rigorous exercise. Finally, participants completed the Fear subscale on the early adolescent temperament questionnaire-revised (EATQ-R) to measure self-perceived levels of stress reactivity. RESULTS: There were significant group differences for inspiratory and expiratory dyspnea with exercise (P = 0.01). Symptoms of stridor (EILO: P = .01; control: P = .001) and throat tightness (EILO: P = .01, control: P = .01) were statistically different between rest and exercise in both groups. However, no group differences were found on these two parameters (P > .05). Other symptoms from the list of previously purported symptoms indicative of ELBD (e.g. cough, dysphonia) were infrequently reported in the exercise variant. Additionally, measurements of stress reactivity on the EATQ-R Fear subscale were similar between the two athletic groups. Interestingly, EATQ-R Fear Subscale scores for both groups were significantly higher compared to typical adolescents in the U.S. population (P < .001, respectively). DISCUSSION: Results suggest dyspnea severity, particularly when experienced during an exercise-induced ELBD (EILO) episode, is the most sensitive symptom parameter to distinguish individuals with EILO from those without the condition. These findings confirm previous literature describing episodic laryngeal breathing disorders in clinical cohorts. Results also showed symptoms of throat tightness and stridor is more prevalent during exercise, compared to rest. However, the level of their severity occurred variably across both groups of athletes and may point to a less robust indication of pathology. Finally, similarities to stress reactivity between the two athletic groups imply certain temperaments historically attributed to patients with EILO may instead better reflect temperaments in competitive young athletes, in general. CONCLUSION: Study findings highlight the importance of using normative comparisons in the study of episodic laryngeal breathing disorders to prevent overgeneralization of characteristics to clinical cohorts. Results also speak of the clinical utility of exercise challenge to improve specificity of EILO diagnosis.

Vibratory Characteristics of Diplophonia Studied by High Speed Video and Vibrogram Analysis.

Diplophonia can occur in patients with polyps, atrophy, paralysis, or scars. Its vibratory patterns have not been well characterized. High-speed video (HSV) analysis can contribute to their understanding. Twenty subjects with a diplophonic voice quality were studied by HSV. Diplophonia was due to medical causes including vocal fold paresis (n = 7), vocal atrophy (n = 5), polyps (n = 5), and scars/sulci (n = 3). The HSV was analyzed using a multislice digital videokymography (DKG). The DKG tracing was analyzed qualitatively and then transformed into a vibrogram waveform signal for frequency analysis. RESULTS: Vibratory abnormalities seen on HSVs explained the diplophonia. Subharmonics to the fundamental frequency can be visualized by DKG. None could be resolved by stroboscopy. One can stratify diplophonia as symmetric or asymmetric based on the involvement of one or both vocal folds. Scars and atrophy showed symmetric subharmonic production with ectopic beats every 4-10 beats. Some subjects showed anterior and posterior independent vocal fold oscillators. Asymmetric causes of diplophonia are common in patients with paralysis. Two different oscillation frequencies of each vocal fold generate in and then out of phase interaction between the two sides. Vibrogram analysis documents the frequent presence of interharmonic energy peaks above the dominant fundamental frequency. Eighteen of the 20 subjects have obvious subharmonic peaks. CONCLUSION: Patients with diplophonia have vibratory abnormalities arising from the vocal folds. HSV and vibrogram analysis followed by frequency analysis of the vibrogram can resolve vibratory abnormality into symmetric versus asymmetric causes and can document the type of vibratory abnormality.

Short-Term Intensive Therapy and Outcomes for Athletes With Paradoxical Vocal Fold Motion Disorder.

Purpose The aim of the study was to develop a treatment for athletes with paradoxical vocal fold motion disorder (PVFMD) based on exercise physiology and learning theory principles and administer it over a preestablished time frame. Method A prospective, repeated-measures, within-subject group design was used. Eleven adolescent/teen athletes diagnosed with PVFMD via laryngoscopy received short-term intensive (STI) therapy. Eight of the athletes returned for extended follow-up. Changes in postexercise inspiratory ( R i) and expiratory ( R e) resistances and Modified Borg Dyspnea Scale (MBDS) ratings collected at baseline were compared immediately posttreatment and at extended follow-up. Dyspnea Index scores were collected at baseline and at extended follow-up. Two no-treatment control athletes with PVFMD participated in two exercise challenges-baseline and 6 weeks later. Results Immediately after STI therapy, athletes attained significant improvement in R i, R e, and MBDS ratings. These changes were maintained at extended follow-up as well as a significant change in Dyspnea Index scores. The 2 control athletes who were reassessed 6 weeks after baseline experienced negative changes in postexercise R i and MBDS ratings. Conclusion STI therapy that incorporated individuality, specificity, and variable practice effectively changed outcome measures posttreatment with further improvement observed at extended follow-up. These results provide preliminary evidence for STI therapy for PVFMD.

Vocal cord dysfunction: analysis of 27 cases and updated review of pathophysiology & management

Introduction: Vocal cord dysfunction is characterized by unintentional paradoxical vocal cord movement resulting in abnormal inappropriate adduction, especially during inspiration; this predominantly manifests as unresponsive asthma or unexplained stridor. It is prudent to be well informed about the condition, since the primary presentation may mask other airway disorders. Objective: This descriptive study was intended to analyze presentations of vocal cord dysfunction in a tertiary care referral hospital. The current understanding regarding the pathophysiology and management of the condition were also explored. Methods: A total of 27 patients diagnosed with vocal cord dysfunction were analyzed based on demographic characteristics, presentations, associations and examination findings. The mechanism of causation, etiological factors implicated, diagnostic considerations and treatment options were evaluated by analysis of the current literature. Results: There was a strong female predilection noted among the study population ( n = 27), which had a mean age of 31. The most common presentations were stridor (44%) and refractory asthma (41%). Laryngopharyngeal reflux disease was the most common association in the majority (66%) of the patients, with a strong overlay of anxiety, demonstrable in 48% of the patients. Conclusion: Being aware of the condition is key to avoid misdiagnosis in vocal cord dysfunction. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy is the diagnostic gold standard to demonstrate paradoxical vocal cord adduction during an attack. A multidisciplinary approach should be adapted for the management, which should be specific and tailored for individual patients (AU)

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Persist in Tissue-Engineered Vocal Fold Replacement in Rabbits.

OBJECTIVES:: Cell therapies using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been proposed as a promising new tool for the treatment of vocal fold scarring. However, the mechanisms by which MSCs promote healing as well as their duration of survival within the host vocal fold have yet to be defined. The aim of this work was to assess the persistence of embedded MSCs within a tissue-engineered vocal fold mucosal replacement in a rabbit model of vocal fold injury. METHODS:: Male rabbit adipose-derived MSCs were embedded within a 3-dimensional fibrin gel, forming the cell-based outer vocal fold replacement. Four female rabbits underwent unilateral resection of vocal fold epithelium and lamina propria and reconstruction with cell-based outer vocal fold replacement implantation. Polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent in situ hybridization for the sex-determining region of the Y chromosome (SRY-II) in the sex-mismatched donor-recipient pairs sought persistent cells after 4 weeks. RESULTS:: A subset of implanted male cells was detected in the implant site at 4 weeks. Many SRY-II-negative cells were also detected at the implant site, presumably representing native female cells that migrated to the area. No SRY-II signal was detected in contralateral control vocal folds. CONCLUSIONS:: The emergent tissue after implantation of a tissue-engineered outer vocal fold replacement is derived both from initially embedded adipose-derived stromal cells and infiltrating native cells. Our results suggest this tissue-engineering approach can provide a well-integrated tissue graft with prolonged cell activity for repair of severe vocal fold scars.