Interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma.

OBJECTIVES: To report on the efficacy and adverse effects of interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was conducted of eight patients with vocal process granuloma resistant to anti-reflux therapy who underwent interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection. The mean dosage of botulinum toxin A injected was 6.56 U. RESULTS: Fifty per cent of patients had complete regression of the lesion and 50 per cent had partial regression. The main side effects were breathiness (n = 4), voice breaks (n = 1) and aspiration (n = 1). CONCLUSION: Interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma is an effective mode of therapy, with transient vocal and swallowing side effects.

Prevalence of dysphagia in patients with muscle tension dysphonia.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesised that patients with muscle tension dysphonia have a high prevalence of dysphagia in comparison to normative values reported in the literature. METHODS: This prospective study included 44 subjects diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia, based on symptoms and laryngoscopic findings, and 25 control subjects with no history of dysphonia and normal laryngeal examination findings. Demographic data included age, gender and smoking history. The aetiology of muscle tension dysphonia was classified as primary or secondary. Evaluation involved the Eating Assessment Tool ('EAT-10') questionnaire. RESULTS: Patients' mean age was 45.93 ± 14.95 years, with a female to male ratio of 1.2:1. Fourteen patients had primary muscle tension dysphonia, while 30 had secondary muscle tension dysphonia. Among patients with secondary muscle tension dysphonia, Reinke's oedema was the most common aetiology. There was a significant difference in the prevalence of dysphagia between the study group and the control group (40.9 per cent vs 8 per cent respectively, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a higher prevalence of dysphagia in patients with the presenting symptom of dysphonia and diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia in comparison to subjects with no dysphonia.

The development of new clinical instruments in laryngopharyngeal reflux disease: The international project of young otolaryngologists of the International Federation of Oto-rhino-laryngological Societies.

INTRODUCTION: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of placebo controlled randomized trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effectiveness of medical treatments over placebo in laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, Cochrane database, and Scopus were assessed for subject headings using the PRISMA recommendations. Placebo RCTs published between 1990 and 2018 describing clinical evolution throughout LPR treatment were extracted and analyzed for evidence-based level, number of patients, inclusion and exclusion criteria, gender, age, symptoms and signs used as therapeutic outcomes, and treatment schemes. RESULTS: The database search identified 15 placebo RCTs with a total of 763 patients. The mean age of patients was 48.59 years and 52.68% of patients were female. Among the 15 placebo RCTs, 9 have demonstrated a partial or total superiority of a medical treatment over placebo. Most of authors based the LPR diagnosis on symptoms and signs without additional examination. Our analysis reveals an important heterogeneity between studies with regard to the diagnosis criteria, treatment schemes and signs and symptoms used as therapeutic outcomes. Many commonly reported signs and symptoms related to LPR were not used as therapeutic outcomes. Half of the authors did not prescribe diet and behavioral changes along the treatment. CONCLUSION: The controversy in the RCTs about the superiority of medical treatment over placebo in LPR disease is probably due to discrepancies in the diagnosis method, exclusion criteria, therapeutic schemes and the lack of comprehensive tools for the assessment of signs and symptoms. In this context, the LPR Study Group of Young-Otolaryngologists of the International Federations of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies developed two new instruments to precisely assess signs and symptoms throughout the treatment. These two instruments could be used in future trials comparing medical treatment over placebo in LPR disease.

Injection laryngoplasty through a transoral approach using the Guedel oral airway.

Injection laryngoplasty has gained popularity as a treatment modality for glottal insufficiency. Several approaches have been described, specifically transcutaneous, transoral and transnasal. The authors describe a novel technique performed successfully on three subjects, namely endoscopic injection laryngoplasty using the modified Guedel oral airway. There was marked improvement in dysphonia, maximum phonation time and closed quotient in all three subjects with a decrease in the Voice Handicap Index-10 score. This new approach is a viable approach for the treatment of glottal insufficiency.

Spontaneous Transethmoidal Meningoceles in Adults: Case Series with Emphasis on Surgical Management.

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous onset transethmoidal meningocele is a rare entity among the adult population. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed and cases of adults diagnosed with spontaneous transethmoidal meningoceles from November 2000 till February 2014 were reported. Data collected included demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic modalities, and results. Intraoperative findings, the type of surgical reconstruction performed, and the percentage of recurrence, if present, were also reported. RESULTS: Ten cases of spontaneous transethmoidal meningoceles in adults were diagnosed. Eight were females and two males with a mean age of 47.5 years. All patients presented with CSF leakage with or without meningitis. They underwent a reconstruction of the base of skull defect using the temporalis fascia graft in addition to fibrin glue (Tissucol) and Surgicel (Ethicon). In two cases with a larger defect, a piece of septal bone and turbinate mucosa were applied achieving a watertight seal in all cases. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous transethmoidal meningocele in adults is a rare condition. It usually presents with clear rhinorrhea with or without meningitis and an endoscopic multilayer reconstruction is advocated for treatment of such conditions.

Laryngeal sensory neuropathy in patients with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed, comprising 50 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 36 healthy controls. In the diabetic group, glycaemic control level, disease duration and presence of neuropathy were assessed. Participants were diagnosed with laryngeal sensory neuropathy if they had a cough, globus pharyngeus or throat clearing lasting for more than six weeks, in the absence of laryngopharyngeal reflux disease, allergies, asthma, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor intake or psychogenic disorders. RESULTS: In the diabetic group, the mean age ± standard deviation was 44.66 ± 10.07 years. Sixty per cent of patients were male, 42 per cent had had diabetes for more than five years and 52 per cent had average to poor glycaemic control. The prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy was 42 per cent in the diabetic group, compared with 13.9 per cent in controls; this difference was statistically significant (p = 0.005). There was no association between the prevalence of laryngeal sensory neuropathy and glycaemic control level, disease duration or presence of neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Laryngeal sensory neuropathy is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus than in controls.

Laryngeal manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a destructive autoimmune disease that affects 3% of the adult population. It is characterized by the formation of both articular and extra-articular lesions with predilection for small joints. There are ubiquitous reports on the head and neck manifestations of RA with emphasis on the larynx. The laryngeal presenting features of this systemic disease may mimic a plethora of medical conditions, inflammatory and neoplastic. The main phonatory and respiratory symptoms are often subtle and misleading. This paper represents a literature review of the laryngeal manifestations of RA with emphasis on the clinical symptoms, laryngeal findings, diagnosis, and treatment. An early diagnosis of laryngeal involvement may prevent drastic complications.

Short term effect of hubble-bubble smoking on voice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short term effect of hubble-bubble smoking on voice. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective study. MATERIAL: Eighteen non-dysphonic subjects (seven men and 11 women) with a history of hubble-bubble smoking and no history of cigarette smoking underwent acoustic analysis and laryngeal video-stroboscopic examination before and 30 minutes after hubble-bubble smoking. RESULTS: On laryngeal video-stroboscopy, none of the subjects had vocal fold erythema either before or after smoking. Five patients had mild vocal fold oedema both before and after smoking. After smoking, there was a slight increase in the number of subjects with thick mucus between the vocal folds (six, vs four before smoking) and with vocal fold vessel dilation (two, vs one before smoking). Acoustic analysis indicated a drop in habitual pitch, fundamental frequency and voice turbulence index after smoking, and an increase in noise-to-harmonics ratio. CONCLUSION: Even 30 minutes of hubble-bubble smoking can cause a drop in vocal pitch and an increase in laryngeal secretions and vocal fold vasodilation.

Prevalence of arytenoid asymmetry in relation to vocal symptoms.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To assess the prevalence of arytenoid asymmetry during adduction, and (2) to correlate arytenoid asymmetry with vocal symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The medical records and video recordings of 116 patients who presented to the voice clinic were reviewed for the presence of arytenoid asymmetry, as regards sharpening of the aryepiglottic fold angle and altered positioning of the cuneiform and corniculate cartilages. RESULTS: There were 61 males and 55 females, with a mean age of 39 years and a standard deviation of 15 years. Almost one-third had a history of reflux, 25 per cent had a history of smoking and 9.6 per cent had a history of allergy. Hoarseness was the most common symptom, occurring in 42.2 per cent of patients, followed by vocal fatigue (25 per cent) and inability to project the voice. The most common type of asymmetry was corniculate asymmetry, present in 27.6 per cent of the cases and accounting for 74.39 per cent of cases. This was followed by cuneiform cartilage asymmetry, present in 15.5 per cent of cases. There was no correlation between arytenoid asymmetry and vocal symptoms, except for vocal fatigue (p = 0.038). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of arytenoid asymmetry during adduction is common. The presence of vocal symptoms such as hoarseness, breathiness, inability to project the voice and straining does not generally seem to correlate with the prevalence of arytenoid asymmetry. However, subjects with vocal fatigue are more likely to have cuneiform asymmetry.

Immediate post-operative vocal changes in patients using laryngeal mask airway versus endotracheal tube.

OBJECTIVE AND HYPOTHESIS: (1) To examine the vocal symptoms and acoustic changes perceived in the short period immediately after laryngeal mask airway, and (2) to compare these findings in patients using laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 patients were enrolled. They were evaluated pre-operatively and then at 2 and 24 hours post-operatively. Patients were divided into two subgroups, laryngeal mask airway and endotracheal tube. Patients were asked about the presence or absence of the following: hoarseness, vocal fatigue, loss of voice, throat-clearing sensation, globus pharyngeus and throat pain. Patients then underwent acoustic analysis of their voice, measuring the average fundamental frequency, relative average perturbation, shimmer, noise to harmony ratio, voice turbulence index, habitual pitch and maximum phonation time. RESULTS: In the laryngeal mask airway group, there was an increase in the incidence of all vocal symptoms two hours post-operatively, except for globus pharyngeus. The increase was statistically significant for vocal fatigue, loss of voice and throat pain. All the symptoms had reverted back to a normal baseline level by 24 hours. There was a decrease in the maximum phonation time and habitual pitch, with an increase in all the perturbation parameters, two hours post-operatively. At 24 hours, an increase was still present for shimmer, noise to harmony ratio and voice turbulence index. The maximum phonation time and habitual pitch reverted back to normal values. In the endotracheal tube group, there was a significant increase two hours post-operatively in the incidence of hoarseness, loss of voice and throat pain. At 24 hours, all the symptoms reverted to baseline, except for vocal fatigue and throat pain. Two hours post-operatively, there was a significant decrease in maximum phonation time and an increase in all other parameters (however, the latter was significant only for relative average perturbation and noise to harmony ratio). At 24 hours, there was a significant increase in the maximum phonation time and a persistent (but statistically insignificant) increase in the average fundamental frequency, habitual pitch, noise to harmony ratio and voice turbulence index. At two hours, there was more loss of voice and vocal fatigue in the laryngeal mask airway group, compared with the endotracheal tube group. At 24 hours, these symptoms were comparable in both groups. Comparing changes in acoustic parameters to baseline values in both groups, there were no statistically significant changes. CONCLUSION: Shortly after reversal of anaesthesia, laryngeal symptoms following laryngeal mask airway are no less significant than those experienced following endotracheal tube anaesthesia. Both methods can be regarded as nontraumatic, in view of the lack of significant vocal symptoms and acoustic changes 24 hours after anaesthesia.

Effect of aggressive therapy on laryngeal symptoms and voice characteristics in patients with gastroesophageal reflux.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is associated with a variety of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms. Injury of the laryngopharynx as a result of GER can be refractory to conventional antireflux therapy. This prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence of laryngopharyngeal signs and symptoms in patients with documented GER and to assess the response to a high-dose combination antireflux therapy consisting of cisapride and pantoprazole. Twenty-two patients with symptoms of GER were enrolled. After baseline evaluation using a history questionnaire for symptoms, laryngeal endoscopy and vocal acoustic analysis, patients were started on treatment consisting of pantoprazole 40 mg b.d. and cisapride 20 mg twice daily. Repeat history and otolaryngologic evaluation was performed at 4 weeks. Laryngopharyngeal symptoms were frequent in most patients, with throat clearing and globus being the most prevalent symptoms followed by vocal fatigue and excess mucus production. Almost 90% of the patients had abnormal endoscopic laryngeal findings but the acoustic parameters did not show any abnormal results except for mild elevation in the shimmer. After treatment, all symptoms and endoscopic abnormalities improved significantly except for intermittent dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal redness. Acoustic abnormalities did not change significantly following therapy. Laryngeal symptoms and voice abnormalities are highly prevalent in patients with GER. Combination antireflux therapy with a proton pump inhibitor and a prokinetic agent results in rapid symptomatic and endoscopic response in the majority of patients.

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: an unusual presentation of domestic violence.

The incidence of "battered woman syndrome" is increasing over the past few years affecting as many as one in every four families. Most of these cases present to the emergency room with mostly head and maxillofacial injuries. We are describing three cases of battered women with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea as the only presenting symptom of domestic violence. The different etiologies, work up and treatment strategies are all discussed and reviewed.

Lateral cervical bronchogenic cyst: an unusual cause of a lump in the neck.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cysts of the neck in children are not uncommon. Most of these are thyroglossal, branchial cleft, or less commonly, thymic cysts. Bronchial cysts rarely are initially seen as a neck mass. METHODS: Use of an illustrative case of a bronchogenic cyst initially seen as an upper lateral neck mass. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize that although ectopic bronchogenic cysts are rare lesions of the head and neck, especially in the upper lateral neck, they should be included in the differential diagnosis in the evaluation of congenital neck cysts.

Nasoseptal variation in relation to sinusitis. A computerized tomographic evaluation.

Paraseptal structural abnormalities are common in patients with sinusitis. They may coexist with radiographic changes suggestive of sinusitis. Their etiological role in patients with no history of sinus disease is still controversial. In this study, computerized tomographic scan of orbits of 89 cases with no history of sinusitis were reviewed between 1996 and 1998. The incidence of septal deviation, concha bullosa and paradoxical middle turbinates was looked at. Their correlation with sinusitis was analyzed using CM-square statistical method. Results showed that the presence of these anatomical abnormalities is not associated with an increased incidence of sinusitis as shown radiologically. We conclude that the presence of septal deviation or large middle turbine on routine rhinoscopy does not mandate further radiological evaluation of the sinuses in the absence of history of sinusitis.

The etiologic role of the osteo-meatal complex in the pathogenesis of sinusitis: a retrospective study of clinical, CT and endoscopic findings in 143 patients.

UNLABELLED: The etiological role of the osteo-meatal complex (OMC) in the pathogenesis of sinus disease is a debatable issue. The charts of 143 patients who underwent endoscopic sinus surgery at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between 1992 and 1995 were reviewed. Clinical symptoms included facial pain, nasal obstruction, headache, and postnasal drip. CT scan and endoscopic findings were reviewed. The presence of OMC disease radiologically was correlated with all the clinical, nasal endoscopic and other radiologic findings (disease in the rest of paranasal sinuses, or presence of concha bullosa). Its etiological role in patients with sinusitis is discussed. RESULTS: No endoscopic findings could be statistically correlated with the OMC disease. Facial pain and postnasal drip were the only clinical symptoms that statistically correlated with the OMC disease (p-value = 0.009 and 0.008, respectively). The OMC disease correlated with the radiological evidence of sinusitis in any of the sinuses.

The effects of chronic electrical stimulation on laryngeal muscle physiology and histochemistry.

The present study examined the effects of functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS) on posterior cricoarytenoid (PCA) muscle physiology and histochemistry. In 4 canines, 10 cm of the recurrent laryngeal nerve was resected. A patch electrode array was implanted for PCA stimulation. FNS was applied to 2 canines for a period of 4 weeks with 2 additional animals serving as nonstimulated controls. Results indicated that FNS increased PCA muscle contractility over the period of intervention but had no effect on contraction speed. FNS also protected the muscle from atrophy by preventing muscle weight loss and type 2 fiber deterioration. Finally, it rescued muscle fibers from ensuing fibrosis.