Vocal tract analysis in patients with vocal fold nodules, clefts and cysts.
The supraglottic plan represents an important dimension in vocal production, and its characterization is very important in the evaluation and treatment approach of dysphonic individuals.


OBJECTIVE
To check if certain glottic configurations are related to specific adjustments in the vocal tract. To use nasal and laryngeal fibroscopy to assess the frequency of supraglottic vocal tract adjustments in dysphonic women with nodules, clefts and cysts.


METHODS
We assessed 31 dysphonic women, with age ranging between 18 and 45 years, with vocal alteration and a diagnosis of nodules, middle-posterior cleft and cyst, and we carried out a summarized evaluation of the sensory-motor and oral systems and the patients were submitted to video-laryngostroboscopy and nasal and laryngeal fibroscopy. Three distinct groups were selected: patients with bilateral nodules, clefts and cysts, with similar glottic configuration. Their vocal tracts were visually analyzed through exams of nasal and laryngeal fibroscopy, by speech and hearing therapists and otorhinolaryngologists, checking the following parameters: supraglottic constriction, larynx vertical mobility, pharyngeal constriction and tongue mobility. The data was statistically described and treated.


RESULTS
During visual analysis we did not find statistically significant differences which would separate the glottic alterations groups.


CONCLUSIONS
There was no correlation between supraglottic tract adjustments with any particular type of glottic alteration. These are individual behaviors that generate adjustments and justify the different vocal qualities in patients with the same type of laryngeal alteration.
Nunes
Raquel Buzelin
RB
Speech Therapy, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo.
Souza
Andrea Moreira Veiga de
AM
Duprat
Andre de Campos
Ade C
Silva
Marta Assumpção de Andrade E
MA
Costa
Rejane Cardoso
RC
Paulino
Juliana Gomes
JG
D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010699:Phonation / Q000502:physiology; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult