title: [Laryngological presentation of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Not many data concerning the laryngological evaluation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients exist.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The profile of laryngological disturbances in patients with ALS was evaluated.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have studied 25 ALS patients (10 with bulbar signs and 15 with limb signs only) in the standard laryngological examination. Vocal folds motion was examined fiberoscopically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In bulbar onset ALS cases we have showed different changes of the uni- or bilateral position of the vocal folds. In 9 out of 15 ALS patients with limb signs (without clinical bulbar signs) we also have discovered the slight disturbance of vocal folds movement or unilateral decrease of tension and mobility.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The careful laryngological examination can shows the subtle, objective signs of the early dysfunction of vagus nerves in ALS patients before the clinical presentation of bulbar failure.
authors.affiliation: Katedra i Klinika Otolaryngologii, Uniwersytet Jagielloński, Collegium Medicum Kraków. jtomik@poczta.fm
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tomik
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tomik
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wiatr
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Składzień
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009046:Motor Neurons; D013061:Speech Acoustics; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology