[Application of the biofeedback method in the treatment of dysphonia (literature review)]. / Primenenie metoda biologicheskoi obratnoi svyazi pri lechenii disfonii (obzor literatury).

The literature review describes the experience of using the biofeedback method in the treatment of dysphonia of various etiologies. Indications for the use of this method and its effectiveness in a certain contingent of patients are discussed.

[Residency is a fundamental stage of professional training of an otorhinolaryngologist]. / Ordinatura ­ osnovopolagayushchii etap professional'noi podgotovki otorinolaringologa.

Systematic analysis of various indicators of the educational process becomes important to assess the effectiveness of the training of residents. One of the most common tools for monitoring the effectiveness of the educational process is a questionnaire of students. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of the assessment of the quality of training in the residency of the Sverzhevky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology according to the survey of residents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study includes the results of an anonymous questionnaire survey of a sample group of residents of the residency of the Sverzhevky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology of the second year of study. RESULTS: The data obtained allow us to judge the satisfaction with the quality of training of the absolute majority of the interviewed residents, their active use of specialized electronic search engines, a high assessment of the level of lectures, the desire to improve their surgical training. The importance for the professional development of residents of participation in weekly scientific and clinical conferences of the Sverzhevky Research Clinical Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, meetings of the Moscow Scientific Society of Otorhinolaryngologists, traditional annual scientific and practical conferences of otorhinolaryngologists of Moscow, as well as in the activities of the Youth Council of the Institute is noted. CONCLUSION: The results of the survey create prerequisites for improving the educational process, the formation of professional competencies and readiness for independent work among residents.

[Treatment of laryngeal pathology associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Lechenie patologii gortani, assotsiirovannoi s gastroezofageal'noi reflyuksnoi bolezn'yu.

OBJECTIVE: To increase the effectiveness of the treatment of laryngeal pathology associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), to determine the indications for the appointment of anti-inflammatory therapy to these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 120 patients were examined and treated, 58 of them men and 62 women, aged 30 to 82 years with GERD-associated laryngeal pathology. Three groups of patients were formed, comparable in age and gender, in accordance with the type of pachydermia in interarytenoid region; type 1 (40 patients) - pachydermia did not go beyond the middle of the interarytenoid cartilage (according to G.F. Ivanchenko), less than 3 mm, without signs of perifocal inflammation; type 2 (40 patients) - pachydermia of large size, extending beyond the middle of the interarytenoid cartilage with a spread to the entire interarytenoid region (according to G.F. Ivanchenko), often in combination with hyperkeratosis or epithelial dysplasia; type 3 (30 patients) - pachydermia of large size in combination with severe perifocal inflammation. All patients received antireflux therapy. Each group is divided into two subgroups: patients who did not receive anti-inflammatory therapy, and patients who received anti-inflammatory therapy, the basis of which was inhalation with degassed alkaline mineral water, as well as according to indications acetylcysteine, benzyldimethylammonium chloride 0.01% or hydroxymethylquinoxalindioxide, with severe swelling of the mucous membrane - budesonide. All patients completed the questionnaire "Reflux Symptoms Scale" before and after treatment. RESULTS: In group 2 patients (with type 2 pachydermia), the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory therapy was 75%. Of the 20 patients in this group, after inhaled therapy, 4 patients had pachydermia in interarytenoid region disappeared, 11 patients had type 1 pachydermia visualized, 5 (25%) patients had no pronounced dynamics. In group 3 patients (with type 3 pachydermia), the effectiveness of inhaled treatment was 100%, out of 15 patients after inhaled therapy, type 2 pachydermia was diagnosed in 8 patients, type 1 pachydermia - in 7 patients. In 4 patients, complex therapy led to the complete disappearance of reflux-associated laryngeal granulomas without surgical treatment. The effectiveness of inhaled therapy in relation to patient complaints after a month was 87%, while the effectiveness of treatment of patients without inhalation was 45%. CONCLUSIONS: Indications for the appointment of inhaled anti-inflammatory therapy in patients with reflux-associated pathology of the larynx are the presence of complaints of hoarseness, dryness, tickling, lump in the throat and chronic cough, endolaryngoscopic signs of exacerbation of chronic inflammation of the mucous membrane of the posterior larynx.

[Screening for laryngeal disease in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease]. / Skrining zabolevanii gortani u patsientov s gastroezofageal'noi reflyuksnoi bolezn'yu.

OBJECTIVE: To improve the diagnosis of laryngeal disease in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 171 patients (89 (52%) men, 82 (48%) women) with non-erosive (39 (23%) people) and erosive (132 (77%) people) forms of GERD were examined. None of the patients made active complaints about the condition of the larynx and pharynx. The examination included a questionnaire, examination by an otorhinolaryngologist, and videoendolaryngoscopy. RESULTS: The survey revealed the presence of symptoms of otorhinolaryngological pathology in 74% of patients. Videolaryngoscopy revealed no laryngeal pathology in 55 (32%) patients, and signs of GERD-associated laryngitis were detected in 116 (68%) patients. The most common pathology was pachydermia in interarytenoid region - in 89 people, laryngeal granuloma was detected in 7 patients, leukoplakia - in 2 patients, chronic edematous polypous laryngitis - in 2 patients, benign laryngeal formations - in 9 patients. In patients with GERD (erosive and non-erosive forms), an asymptomatic course of chronic laryngitis associated with this pathology was observed in 44% of cases. In 52% of patients, pachydermia in interarytenoid region was diagnosed, of which every second had pronounced hyperplasia and folding of the mucous membrane in interarytenoid region, which must be differentiated from laryngeal cancer (in this case, patients should be under the dynamic supervision of an otorhinolaryngologist). Other precancerous formations of the larynx (granulomas and leukoplakia) were found in 5% of patients. Benign neoplasms of the larynx (polyps and cysts) were also detected in 5% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high frequency of detection of otorhinolaryngological diseases in the examined patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, none of the patients presented complaints related to the pathology of the larynx, which indicates the need for active detection of this pathology in this category of patients by questioning, questioning, as well as examination by an otorhinolaryngologist.

[Chronic catarrhal laryngitis in singers]. / Khronicheskii kataral'nyi laringit u vokalistov.

The article deals with optimization of treatment policy for singers with chronic catarrhal laryngitis. The survey sample is 51 singers with chronic catarrhal laryngitis of the age from 29 to 54 and the length of time worked from 8 to 22 years. The following methods are used: anamnesis, microbiological investigation, voice evaluation according to Visual Analog Scale (VAS), microlaryngoscopy, videolaryngostroboscopy, voice acoustic analysis (MDVP Kay Pentax system), statistical processing of results. It is shown that the cause of chronic catarrhal laryngitis in professional singers is non-bacterial irritants that provoke the appearance of an inflammatory process in the larynx, as well as uncontrolled use of drugs that irritate and dry out the mucous membrane and imperfect vocal technique. Pathogenic flora as an etiologic factor in the occurrence of laryngitis does not play an important role. A comprehensive treatment scheme for chronic catarrhal laryngitis using inhalation therapy and drugs that improve trophic processes in the laryngeal mucosa, which allows to increase the effectiveness of treatment and achieve stable remission of the disease, is suggested.

[Prospects for a passive acoustic research method in otorhinolaryngology]. / Perspektivy passivnogo akusticheskogo metoda issledovaniya v otorinolaringologii.

The authors of the article reviewed acoustic research methods in otorhinolaryngology. All acoustic diagnostic methods are divided into active and passive. Active acoustic methods are based on the emission of acoustic vibrations, in some cases with the subsequent reception and processing of reflected vibrations. Passive acoustic research methods are based on the recording and analysis of sounds arising during the physiological functioning of the studied organs and systems. In otorhinolaryngology, active acoustic methods of studying the ENT organ are more widespread: audiometry, acoustic impedance measurement, ultrasound examination of hearing, auditory evoked potentials, sonotubometry, acoustic rhinometry, ultrasound examination of soft tissues of the neck and paranasal sinuses. Among passive acoustic research methods, the greatest development in clinical practice in otorhinolaryngology was obtained by computer acoustic analysis of the voice - an assessment of the phonatory function of the larynx. Using similar technologies, a technique for acoustic analysis of nasal breathing was developed - a functional assessment of the external nasal valve. Separate groups of authors have carried out an experimental study of the sounds that occur when the auditory tube is opened. Achievements in acoustics and the introduction of advanced technologies in medicine create prerequisites for improving existing and developing new methods of acoustic analysis of the work of ENT organs.

[Tumor-like amyloidosis of the upper respiratory tract]. / Opukholevidnyi amiloidoz verkhnikh dykhatel'nykh putei.

The paper describes 11 cases of local tumor-like amyloidosis (LTA) of the upper respiratory tract, among which laryngeal amyloidosis was most common. The clinical diagnosis of suspected local amyloidosis was made in only two cases. The diagnosis of local amyloidosis was established at a morphological examination of a distant neoplasm, by using special Congo red staining followed by polarizing microscopy. Attention is drawn to the localization and sequence of amyloid deposition and morphological changes related to the age of patients and the duration of the disease. The paper discusses the nature of local amyloidosis as stromal vascular proteinosis with the deposition of AL amyloid (immunoglobulin light chain amyloid) that are formed apparently by local immunocytes of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) system. It emphasizes the need for the clinical monitoring of patients with LTA to rule out systemic amyloidosis.

[Etiopathogenetic treatment of professional singers with vocal nodules]. / Étiopatogeneticheskoe lechenie uzelkov golosovykh skladok u professional'nykh vokalistov.

The article deals with optimization of treatment policy for professional singers. The survey sample is 67 singers with vocal nodules of the age from 24 to 42 and the length of time worked from 3 to 28 years. The following methods are used: questionnaire survey (professional anamnesis, voice evaluation according to Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Spielberg-Hanin test), microlaryngoscopy, video endolaringostroboscopy, voice acoustic analysis (MDVP Kay Pentax system). The algorithm and evaluation criteria of vocal nodules treatment efficiency for the singers taking into account the specific character of their professional activity are proposed.

[The treatment of laryngomycosis]. / Lechenie laringomikoza.

The objective of the present study was to elaborate the therapeutic algorithm for the treatment of laryngomycosis. We have examined a total of 430 patients suffering from chronic laryngitis including 100 ones (23.2%) having the fungal flora. Mycosis was diagnosed by the microscopic study of the stained preparations with the application of various techniques; moreover, cultivation in elective nutrient media was used. The yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida were identified in 98 (98%) and mold fungi of the genus Aspergillus in the remaining 2 (2%) patients. All these 100 patients were given the antifungal treatment. 98 of them presenting with candidal laryngitis were allocated to three groups. Group A was comprised of 33 patients who received the local treatment alone, group B contained 31 patients given only systemic therapy, and group C included 34 patients undergoing the combined treatment with the use of the medications possessed of both the local and systemic actions. The best clinical results were obtained in the patients of the latter group in which the therapeutic efficiency proved to be as high as 79.4%. It is concluded that all the patients suffering from laryngomycosis are in need of the combined treatment designed to eradicate the causative agent, restore the vocal function, and achieve the stable remission of the chronic inflammatory process in the larynx. The combined treatment with the antimycotic medications exhibiting both the general systemic and local activities during 3 weeks appears to be the optimal therapeutic modality for the management of laryngomycosis. Of special importance is the dynamic follow-up of the treated patients including the control examinations in the course of the treatment (days 7, 14, and 21) to be followed by the mycological study after the termination of therapy and its repetition every 3 months during the subsequent period.

[The clinical and functional condition of the larynx in the patients of the elder age group presenting with chronic oedematous polypoidal laryngitis]. / Kliniko-funktsional'noe sostoianie gortani u patsientov starshei vozrastnoi gruppy s khronicheskim otechno-polipoznym laringitom.

This article was designed to report the results of the evaluation of the clinical and functional condition of the larynx in the patients of the elder age group presenting with chronic oedematous polypoidal laryngitis before and after their surgical treatment. A total of 60 patients at the age from 60 to 72 years were available for the examination; all of them had a concomitant somatic or ENT pathology. The clinical and functional conditions of the larynx in the patients of the elder age group were studied, with special reference to those suffering from chronic oedematous polypoidal laryngitis before the surgical intervention, that determined the overall clinical picture of the disease characterized in the first place by the predominance of the severe polypoid process with the combination of the organic and functional laryngeal pathology. The specific clinical and functional features of the larynx were identified after the surgical treatment that exerted the appreciable influence on the postoperative course of the disease and the duration of dysphonia. The peculiarities of postoperative laryngitis are described. Its catarrhal form was diagnosed in 42% of the patients. The strong inflammatory reaction with exudation and formation of fibrin films was documented in 58% of the patients while 83% of them exhibited formation of the functional component of dysphonia that required the application of the additional therapeutic measures for the complete restoration of the vocal function taking into consideration the age-related alteration of the larynx together with the long-term postoperative observation of the patients.

[Paresthesias of the upper respiratory tract in the patients of the elder age group]. / Parestezii verkhnikh dykhatel'nykh putei u patsientov starshei vozrastnoi gruppy.

The present study was designed to carry out the comprehensive clinical examination of 120 patients presenting with paresthesia of the upper respiratory tract (42 men (35%) and 78 women (65%P) aged 56 to 90 years). The most frequent complaints included cough (72%), globus sensation (46%), itching (43%), dry throat (38%), and difficulty of swallowing (28%). The duration of the clinical symptoms ranged from 1 month to 3 years (m±M: 1+to 1.46). The etiological factors behind paresthesias in the patients of the older age groups in comparison with the patients below 55 years of age included gastroenterological and cardiovascular diseases, pathology of the broncho-pulmonary system, and neurological pathology. ENT pathology was diagnosed equally often in the patients of both groups. Endocrine pathology and stress-associated conditions occurred more frequently in the patients below the age of 55 years. The intolerance of drugs was more commonly encountered in the patients of the older age group (amounting up to 35%). It is concluded that the ultimate etiological factor of paresthesia of the upper respiratory tract can be deduced based on the detection of a particular disease and the analysis of the dynamics of the patients' complaints after the completion of the adequate treatment.

[The prevalence of the fungal flora in association with chronic inflammatory pathology of the larynx]. / Rasprostranennost' gribkovoi flory pri khronicheskoi vospalitel'noi patologii gortani.

The present article was designed to analyze the prevalence and clinical features of laryngomycosis associated with chronic inflammatory diseases of the larynx. We examined 430 patients suffering from chronic pharyngitis and found the fungal flora in 100 (23.2%) of them. Diagnostics of the fungal infection was performed by the microscopic study of the stained preparations (including the Gram method, Romanovskiy-Giemsa and fluorescent microscopy). The sowing on elective nutrient media was used. The study revealed the presence of yeast fungi (Candida) in 98 patients (98%) and mold fungi (Aspergillus) in the remaining two (2%). The hyperplastic form of fungal pharyngitis was diagnosed in 55% of the patients. We have identified the following predisposing factors for fungal laryngitis: the gastroesophageal reflux disease in 56% of the patients, smoking in 50%, the long-term use of the removable dentures with the inadequate care for them in 30%, and the consistent use of inhaled corticosteroids in 27%. Hyperglycemia was documented in 6% and the history of long-term treatment with antibiotics in in 10% of the patients. The scheme for the combined antifungal therapy has been developed. Its practical application allowed to achieve the eradication of the fungal flora and to improve the clinical course of chronic laryngitis in 75% of the patients.

[The comparative assessment of the vocal function in the professional voice users and non-occupational voice users in the late adulthood]. / Sravnitel'naia otsenka golosovoi funktsii u professionalov golosa pozhilogo vozrasta i lits negolosovykh professii.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical and functional condition of the voice apparatus in the elderly patients and to elaborate recommendations for the prevention of disturbances of the vocal function in the professional voice users. This comprehensive study involved 95 patients including the active professional voice users (n=48) and 45 non-occupational voice users at the age from 61 to 82 years with the employment history varying from 32 to 51 years. The study was designed to obtain the voice characteristics by means of the subjective auditory assessment, microlaryngoscopy, video laryngostroboscopy, determination of maximum phonation time (MPT), and computer-assisted acoustic analysis of the voice with the use of the MDVP Kay Pentaxy system. The level of anxiety of the patients was estimated based on the results of the HADS questionnaire study. It is concluded that the majority of the disturbances of the vocal function in the professional voice users have the functional nature. It is concluded that the method of neuro-muscular electrophonopedic stimulation (NMEPS) of laryngeal muscles is the method of choice for the diagnostics of the vocal function of the voice users in the late adulthood. It is recommended that the professional vocal load for such subjects should not exceed 12-14 hours per week. Rational psychotherapy must constitute an important component of the system of measures intended to support the working capacity of the voice users belonging to this age group.

[Paresthesias of the upper respiratory tract].

This review concerns the modern views of etiology, diagnostics, and treatment of the patients presenting with paresthesias of the upper respiratory tract. Various concepts of etiology of this pathology are described along with the relevant diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. Special attention is given to the debatable aspects of diagnostics and treatment of the patients complaining of the feeling of a lump in the throat ("globus sensation"). The opinions of the domestic and foreign authors concerning this problem are considered. The necessity of the search for the new additional therapeutic procedures for the treatment of paresthesias of the upper respiratory tract, including the non-medicamental modalities, is substantiated. It is concluded that the development of the new adequate diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm is indispensable for the enhancement of the effectiveness of the management of the patients with paresthesias of the upper respiratory tract and complaints of "globus sensation".

[Treatment of chronic tonsillitis in singers].

A total of 74 professional vocalists aged from 20 to 64 years with different forms of chronic tonsillitis were examined. Results of the study were used to develop recommendations for the treatment of chronic tonsillitis in patients of this category.

[Inhalation therapy of laryngeal inflammation].

Inhalation therapy is a highly effective method of local anti-inflammatory therapy in combined treatment of anti-inflammatory laryngeal diseases. Schemes of inhalation therapy in different laryngeal diseases are presented basing on the experience with examination and treatment of 140 patients.

[Experimental model for the evaluation of the method and regimen of inhalation therapy].

An experimental model of upper respiratory passages has been developed to be used for the choice of parameters of inhalation therapy for inflammatory processes in the larynx and evaluation of its efficiency. The model was employed to characterize "inhalation accessibility" of different segments of the upper respiratory passages and to determine the amount of a medicinal product to be delivered to the affected zone per unit time. Optimal parameters of the inhalation procedure have been derived.

[Most frequent errors in diagnosis and treatment of vocal dysfunction].

Vocal disturbances can be a symptom as laryngeal diseases, and a primary clinical manifestation of an endocrine, neurological or systemic disease, tumors located in the base of the skull, neck, chest. Main causes of the misdiagnosis of vocal disturbances lie in misinterpretation of the results of acoustic study of voice, incomplete case history and inadequately made laryngoscopy. Efficacy of vocal disturbance treatment depends on staged, etiopathogenetic approach with consideration of individual features of the patient. Patients with recurrent and lingering laryngeal diseases should be referred to specialized clinics.

[Electrostimulation of laryngeal muscles with fluctuating currents in the treatment of patients with unilateral laryngeal paralysis]. / Primenenie élektrostimuliatsii myshts gortani fliuktuiruiushchimi tokami pri lechenii bol'nykh s odnostoronnim paralichom gortani.

Intralaryngeal electrostimulation of the laryngeal muscles with fluctuating currents with simultaneous mobilization of the arytenoid cartilage and paralysed vocal cord were used in 42 patients with unilateral laryngeal paralysis. The treatment was combined with phonopedic lessons. The control group consisted of 32 patients receiving standard electrostimulation with diadynamic currents. The effect was evaluated by changes in vocal acoustic parameters and stroboscopic parameters. In patients with paramedian fixation of the vocal cords voice improvement was obtained irrespective of electrostimulation type. For patients with intermedian and lateral fixation of the vocal cords more effective was intralaryngeal electrostimulation with fluctuating currents. A good therapeutic effect was achieved in patients with dislocation of the arytenoid cartilage.

[Clinical and functional studies of patients with unilateral laryngeal paralysis]. / Kliniko-funktsional'noe obsledovanie bol'nykh s odnostoronnim paralichom gortani.

Unilateral laryngeal paralysis (ULP) involves all three functions (defensive, phonating, and respiratory) of the larynx. It is necessary to make comprehensive clinical studies in patients with ULP of unknown etiology to elucidate the causes of the paralysis. The study involved X-ray tomography of the larynx, lung, and mediastinum, ultrasonography of the thyroid, X-ray study of the skull and the cervical part of the vertebral column, and barium X-ray study of the esophagus. A hundred and twenty patients with ULP underwent clinical and functional studies of the vocal apparatus, with microlaryngoscopy with palpation of the arytenocricoid joint, studies of external respiratory function and the acoustic parameters of their voice. The examination has ascertained that the clinicofunctional status of the larynx in unilateral laryngoparalysis depends on the degree of approach and the quality of closure of the vocal cords (VC) and it is determined by the position of the paralyzed VC in horizontal and vertical planes, by the degree of paralyzed VC atrophy, and by the position and mobility of the arytenoid cartilage.