Singer's dystonia: first report of a variant of spasmodic dysphonia.
OBJECTIVE
We discuss the phonatory characteristics of a previously undescribed focal laryngeal dystonia present in the singing voice.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective chart review of 5 patients with singer's dystonia at a neurolaryngology referral center.


RESULTS
Four patients reviewed demonstrated phonatory characteristics consistent with adductor spasmodic dysphonia present in their singing voice. One patient demonstrated abductor spasmodic dysphonia in the singing voice. Each patient initially exhibited normal connected speech in conversational voicing. The treatment protocol and outcome are discussed, including the use of botulinum toxin.


CONCLUSIONS
Singer's dystonia is a previously undescribed neurologic disorder that should be understood by those who treat voice performers and voice disorders.
Chitkara
Ajay
A
New York Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, New York, New York, USA. aechitkara@yahoo.com
Meyer
Tanya
T
Keidar
Anat
A
Blitzer
Andrew
A
D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004421:Dystonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013035:Spasm / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014833:Voice Quality
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A