Orientador: Antonio José Maria Cataneo / Resumo: Introdução: A paralisia de pregas vocais caracteriza-se como uma das principais complicações e sequelas após a tireoidectomia. A técnica convencional compreende a identificação visual do trajeto do nervo para sua preservação e a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente (NLR) durante a cirurgia de tireóide visa a redução do risco de paralisias por injúria ao NLR, porém sua utilidade ainda é discutível. Objetivos: Determinar através de revisão sistemática se o uso da neuromonitorização do NLR durante tireoidectomias realmente apresenta benefícios comparado á técnica convencional de identificação somente do nervo durante a cirurgia, especialmente em termos de redução do risco de paralisia de prega vocal, seja transitória ou permanente. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa nas principais bases de dados, MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov e fontes adicionais foi realizada em Maio de 2018. Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise foram feitas usando o modelo de efeitos fixos. O GRADE foi usado para classificar a qualidade das evidências. Os desfechos primários avaliados foram o total de paralisias do NLR por nervos em risco, paralisias transitórias e permanentes e o tempo de cirurgia comparando-se as duas técnicas. Como desfechos secundário avaliou-se o tempo de cirurgia. Foi realizada análise de subgrupos de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injuria do NLR. Também avaliamos como análise de subgr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Introduction: Vocal cord paralysis is characterized as one of the main complications and sequels after thyroidectomy. The conventional technique comprises the visual identification of the nerve path for its preservation and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) neuromonitoring during thyroid surgery aims to reduce the risk of paralysis due to injury to the RLN, but its usefulness is still debatable. Objectives: To determine through systematic review if the use of neuromonitoring of the RLN during thyroidectomies actually presents benefits compared to the conventional technique of only identification of the nerve during surgery, especially in terms of reducing the risk of vocal fold paralysis, whether transient or permanent. Materials and Methods: The search in the main databases, MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov and additional sources was performed in May 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using the fixed-effects model. GRADE was used to classify the quality of the evidence. The primary endpoints evaluated were the total nerve paralysis for nerves at risk, transient and permanent paralyzes, and surgery time comparing the two techniques. As secondary outcomes, the time of surgery was evaluated. We also evaluated as subgroup analysis the transient and permanent paralysis in a group of patients with high and low risk of RLN injury. Results: Four randomized clinical trials involving 1.379 pat... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by TAMIRES FERREIRA SIQUEIRA (tamy_170@yahoo.com.br) on 2018-08-03T16:10:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tese Mestrado Tamires.1.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Sulamita Selma C Colnago null (sulamita@btu.unesp.br) on 2018-08-06T13:19:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 siqueira_tm_me_bot.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-06T13:19:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 siqueira_tm_me_bot.pdf: 1168639 bytes, checksum: b2029c52ab3322c660f0abd08f81dd9e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-07-12 / Introdução: A paralisia de pregas vocais caracteriza-se como uma das principais complicações e sequelas após a tireoidectomia. A técnica convencional compreende a identificação visual do trajeto do nervo para sua preservação e a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente (NLR) durante a cirurgia de tireóide visa a redução do risco de paralisias por injúria ao NLR, porém sua utilidade ainda é discutível. Objetivos: Determinar através de revisão sistemática se o uso da neuromonitorização do NLR durante tireoidectomias realmente apresenta benefícios comparado á técnica convencional de identificação somente do nervo durante a cirurgia, especialmente em termos de redução do risco de paralisia de prega vocal, seja transitória ou permanente. Materiais e Métodos: A pesquisa nas principais bases de dados, MEDLINE via PUBMED, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov e fontes adicionais foi realizada em Maio de 2018. Uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise foram feitas usando o modelo de efeitos fixos. O GRADE foi usado para classificar a qualidade das evidências. Os desfechos primários avaliados foram o total de paralisias do NLR por nervos em risco, paralisias transitórias e permanentes e o tempo de cirurgia comparando-se as duas técnicas. Como desfechos secundário avaliou-se o tempo de cirurgia. Foi realizada análise de subgrupos de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injuria do NLR. Também avaliamos como análise de subgrupos as paralisias transitórias e permanentes em grupo de pacientes de alto e baixo risco de injúria do NLR. Resultados: Quatro ensaios clínicos randomizados envolvendo 1.379 pacientes submetidos à tireoidectomia utilizando a neuromonitorização ou com a identificação somente do NLR, sendo 2.605 o número total de nervos em risco foram avaliados. A neuromonitorização diminuiu o risco do total paralisias (transitórias e permanentes) de prega vocal em tireoidectomias (RR 0,64; IC 95% de 0,43 a 0,95, I 2 = 30%), assim como diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,60; IC 95% de 0,38 a 0,95, I 2 =10%), porém não diminuiu o risco de paralisias permanentes (RR 0,84; IC 95% de 0,36 a 1,93, I 2 = 0%). A análise da média do tempo de cirurgia foi conduzida em dois estudos, entretanto como a heterogeneidade entre os estudos foi maior que 75% a metanálise não foi apropriada para estabelecer a diferença do tempo médio de cirurgia entre os grupos. Quanto a análise de subgrupos, observou-se que a neuromonitorização não diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,61; IC 95% de 0,28 a 1,31, I 2 = 0%) e nem o risco de paralisias permanentes de prega vocal em tireoidectomias de baixo risco (RR 1,03; IC 95% de 0,21 a 5,07, I 2 não aplicável). Assim como também não diminuiu o risco de paralisias transitórias (RR 0,75; IC 95% de 0,18 a 3,07, I 2 = 71%) e de paralisias permanentes de prega vocal em tireoidectomias de alto risco (RR 0,69; IC 95% de 0,27 a 1,79, I 2 = 4%). Conclusões: Essa meta-análise utilizando apenas ensaios clínicos randomizados demonstrou que a neuromonitorização do nervo laríngeo recorrente em tireoidectomias possivelmente reduz ligeiramente o risco de paralisia transitória das pregas vocais, mas provavelmente faz pouca ou nenhuma diferença no risco de paralisia permanente. / Introduction: Vocal cord paralysis is characterized as one of the main complications and sequels after thyroidectomy. The conventional technique comprises the visual identification of the nerve path for its preservation and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) neuromonitoring during thyroid surgery aims to reduce the risk of paralysis due to injury to the RLN, but its usefulness is still debatable. Objectives: To determine through systematic review if the use of neuromonitoring of the RLN during thyroidectomies actually presents benefits compared to the conventional technique of only identification of the nerve during surgery, especially in terms of reducing the risk of vocal fold paralysis, whether transient or permanent. Materials and Methods: The search in the main databases, MEDLINE, LILACS, SCOPUS, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL); clinicaltrials.gov and additional sources was performed in May 2018. A systematic review and meta-analysis was done using the fixed-effects model. GRADE was used to classify the quality of the evidence. The primary endpoints evaluated were the total nerve paralysis for nerves at risk, transient and permanent paralyzes, and surgery time comparing the two techniques. As secondary outcomes, the time of surgery was evaluated. We also evaluated as subgroup analysis the transient and permanent paralysis in a group of patients with high and low risk of RLN injury. Results: Four randomized clinical trials involving 1.379 patients undergoing thyroidectomy using neuromonitoring or with identification only of the RLN, of which 2.605 was the total number of nerves at risk evaluated. Neuromonitoring reduced the risk of total (transient and permanent) vocal fold paralysis after thyroidectomies (RR 0.64, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.95, I 2 = 30%), as well as decreased the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.95, I 2 = 10%), but did not decrease the risk of permanent paralysis (RR 0.84, 95% CI 0.36 to 1.93, I2 = 0%). The analysis of the mean time of surgery was conducted in two studies, however, the heterogeneity between the studies was greater than 75% and the meta-analysis was not appropriate to establish the difference in the mean time of surgery between the groups. As the analysis of subgroups, it was observed that neuromonitoring did not reduce the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.31, I 2 = 0%) and neither the risk of permanent paralysis in low-risk thyroidectomies (RR 1.03, 95% CI 0.21 to 5.07, I2 not applicable). As it also did not reduce the risk of transient paralysis (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.07, I2 = 71%) and permanent vocal fold paralysis in high-risk thyroidectomies (RR 0, 69, 95% CI 0.27 to 1.79, I 2 = 4%). Conclusions: This meta-analysis using only randomized clinical trials has demonstrated that recurrent laryngeal nerve neuromonitoring in thyroidectomies possibly slightly reduces the risk of transient vocal fold paralysis but probably makes little or no difference in the risk of permanent paralysis.

INTRODUÇÃO: As queixas vocais e de deglutição podem ser apresentadas após o tratamento cirúrgico da doença de tireóide em pacientes com ou sem a mobilidade laríngea preservada. O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar e comparar a voz e a deglutição de pacientes com e sem mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo no qual foram avaliados pacientes com doença de tireóide divididos em dois grupos: GA, com mobilidade laríngea alterada após a tireoidectomia e GB, preservada. O protocolo de avaliação vocal perceptivo-auditiva e acústica e nasofibroscopia da deglutição foi aplicado no pré, pós-operatório recente e tardio. Ambos apresentaram percentual maior de mulheres, da faixa etária entre 46 a 65 anos e de tireoidectomia total. O número reduzido de tabagistas e da indicação de esvaziamento cervical também foi comum aos dois grupos. O carcinoma papilífero foi mais freqüente no GA e o bócio, no GB; e o volume do tecido ressecado foi menor no GA em relação ao GB. RESULTADOS: A avaliação da deglutição revelou que no GA, não houve alteração no pré-operatório (PRE). No pósoperatório recente (POR) foi observada em 87% e no pós-operatório tardio (POT), em 67%. Houve diferença estatística entre os períodos PRE e POR e PRE e POT (p<0,001). A penetração e aspiração com líquido foram identificadas em 33% da amostra no POR (p=0,014). A estase de alimento ocorreu em 87% no POR e 60% no POT(p<0,001). No GB, somente os resultados entre PRE e POR tiveram significância estatística para deglutição, com aumento de 44% no número de indivíduos com disfagia, apresentando estase e escape prematuro do alimento. Os resultados de voz indicaram que a disfonia em grau discreto caracterizada pela rugosidade esteve presente em 67% da amostra do GA no PRE. Houve diferença significativa entre PRE e POR, no grau geral, tensão, instabilidade, pitch, loudness e foco ressonantal. Entre PRE e POT, a significância ocorreu apenas no pitch e loudness. Os dados acústicos não apresentaram diferença relevante no GA. No GB, 87% foi classificado como disfônico no PRE, com rugosidade (85%) discreta (64%) e ressonância faringolaríngea (67%) como as características mais notadas. A comparação entre PRE e POR revelou piora com diferença significante no grau geral, tensão, pitch e loudness. Entre PRE e POT, houve diferença apenas no pitch e loudness. CONCLUSÕES: Pacientes com doença de tireóide apresentam disfonia mesmo antes da cirurgia. Após a tireoidectomia, apresentam disfonia e disfagia, mais evidentes no pós-operatório recente e mais graves nos indivíduos com mobilidade laríngea alterada. As disfunções estão associadas a fatores supraglóticos e faríngeos e não somente a mobilidade de pregas vocais e podem ocorrer devido a intubação orotraqueal, manipulação da musculatura extrínseca e danos do nervo laríngeo. / INTRODUCTION: The vocal and deglutition complaints can be presented after surgical treatment of thyroid disease in patients with or without preserved laryngeal mobility. The objective of this study was to evaluate and to compare the voice and swallowing function of patients with and without laryngeal mobility after thyroidectomy. METHODS: This prospective study evaluated patients with thyroid disease divided in two groups: GA with laryngeal mobility modified after surgery and GB, preserved. The perceptual and acoustical analysis and fiberoptic endoscope of swallowing evaluation protocol were applied at preoperatory, recent and late post operatory. Both groups had presented bigger percentage of women, with age between 46 and 65 years, and total thyroidectomy. Reduced numbers of smokers and indication of neck dissection was common to the two groups. Papillary carcinoma was more frequent in the GA, and the benign tumor in the GB; and resected tissue volume was smaller in the GA in relation to GB. RESULTS: The evaluation of the deglutition indicated that the GA did not have alteration at preoperatory (PRE). At recent postoperative (POR) it was observed in 87% and at late period (POT), in 67%. There was statistical difference between PRE and POR, and PRE and POT (p< 0,001). Penetration and aspiration with liquid had been identified in 33% of the sample at POR (p=0,014). Residue of food occurred in 87% at POR and 60% at POT (p< 0,001). In the GB, the results between PRE and POR had significance only for deglutition, with increase of 44% in the number of individuals with dysphagia, presenting residue and premature escape of the food. Voice results had indicated light degree dysphonia characterized by the roughness in 67% of the sample of the GA at PRE. There was significant difference between PRE and POR, in the global grade, strain, instability, pitch, loudness and resonance focus. Between PRE and POT, the significance it occurred only in pitch and loudness. The acoustic data had not presented statistical difference in the GA. In GB, 87% was classified as dysphonic at PRE, with light (64%) roughness (85%) and pharyngolaryngeal resonance (67%) as the more observed characteristics. The comparison between PRE and POR showed worsening with significant difference in the global grade, strain, pitch and loudness. Between PRE and POT, it had difference only in pitch and loudness. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with thyroid disease present dysphonia before the surgery. After thyroidectomy, presents dysphonia and dysphagia, evidenced at POR and more severe in the individuals without laryngeal mobility. These dysfunctions are associated to pharyngeal and laryngeal factors and occur due to orotracheal intubation, manipulation of the extrinsic muscle and damage of the laryngeal nerve.

Orientador: Agrício Nubiato Crespo / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T15:39:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carvalho_EduardoGeorgeBaptistade_D.pdf: 1487097 bytes, checksum: 8b21a6026c0fd35ff39cc175609d11d7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / Resumo: A correção de sulcos e cicatrizes de pregas vocais permanece como grande desafio à fonocirurgia. Substâncias que promovam a reestruturação da lâmina própria parecem ser a melhor opção. Esta pesquisa avaliou a influência do fator de crescimento de fibroblastos na integração tecidual de enxerto de fragmento de fáscia superficial na lâmina própria de prega vocal de coelhos associado à injeção de FGF, quanto às alterações histológicas induzidas como reação inflamatória aguda e crônica, fibrose desencadeada pelo procedimento e presença de neovascularização. Doze coelhos adultos foram submetidos ao enxerto de fragmento de 0,1 X 0,1 cm de fáscia cervical superficial na lâmina própria de ambas as pregas vocais. Na prega vocal direita foi injetado fator de crescimento de fibroblastos. Após um e doze meses, os animais foram sacrificados e suas pregas vocais submetidas a estudo histológico. O fator de crescimento de fibroblastos induziu resposta inflamatória em todos os animais após um mês do experimento inicial. Desencadeou fibrose além da causada pelo procedimento cirúrgico na prega vocal direita em todos os animais após 12 meses do experimento inicial. Fato que demonstra que o fator de crescimento de fibroblastos não representa uma boa opção terapêutica na correção das alterações da lâmina própria de pregas vocais quando associado ao enxerto de fáscia. / Abstract: The correction of sulcus and scars of vocal cords remains as a major challenge to fonosurgery. Substances which promote the restructuring the lamina propria seem to be the best option. This study evaluated the influence of fibroblasts growth factor in integration fragment of fascia grafted in the vocal fold lamina propria of rabbits associated with the injection FGF, regarding the histological alterations , acute and chronic inflammatory reaction, fibrosis, presence of neovascularization and the density of collagen. Twelve adult rabbits were submitted to grafting of fragment of 0.1 X 0.1 cm cervical fascia in the vocal fold lamina propria. Fibroblasts growth factor was injected in the right vocal fold. After a month and 12 months, the animals were sacrificed and their vocal folds submitted to histological study. The fibroblasts growth factor induced acute inflammatory response in all animals after one month of initial experiment. It induced fibrosis in addition to the caused by surgical procedure on the right vocal fold in all animals after 12 months of initial experiment. Fact which demonstrate that the fibroblasts growth factor with fascia grafting is not a good therapeutic option in correction of alterations of the vocal fold lamina propria. / Doutorado / Otorrinolaringologia / Doutor em Ciências Médicas

Corticosteróides injetáveis têm sido usados em fonocirurgia com o intuito de se prevenir fibrose da prega vocal pelos seus efeitos na cicatrização e assegurar uma melhor qualidade vocal. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar histologicamente os efeitos da infiltração de dexametasona no processo agudo de cicatrização, 3 e 7 dias após uma lesão induzida cirurgicamente na prega vocal de coelhos, através da análise quantitativa da reação inflamatória e da deposição de colágeno. Uma incisão cirúrgica foi realizada nas pregas vocais de 12 coelhos, seguido da injeção de 0,1ml de dexametasona na prega vocal esquerda. A prega vocal direita não recebeu nenhuma injeção e serviu como grupo controle. As laringes foram coletadas 3 e 7 dias após a cirurgia. As pregas vocais foram histologicamente analisadas com hematoxilina-eosina para quantificar a resposta inflamatória e picrossírius-red para quantificar a deposição de colágeno. Quantitativamente, não houve diferença significativa na resposta inflamatória das pregas vocais com corticosteróide em relação ao controle. A deposição de colágeno no grupo com corticóide foi estatisticamente menor em 3 dias e permaneceu menor em 7 dias após a lesão cirúrgica (p=0,002). Esses resultados sugerem que os corticosteróides diminuem a deposição do colágeno no processo agudo da cicatrização / Injectable corticosteroids have been used in phonosurgery to prevent scarring of the vocal fold due to their effects on wound healing, and to assure better voice quality. The aim of this study is to evaluate histologically the effects of dexamethasone infiltration on acute vocal fold wound healing in rabbits 3 and 7 days after surgically-induced injury, by quantification of the inflammatory reaction and collagen deposition. A standardized surgical incision was made in the vocal folds of 12 rabbits, and 0.1 ml dexamethasone (4 mg/ml) was injected into the left vocal fold. The right vocal fold was not injected and served as the control. The larynges were collected 3 and 7 days after surgery. For histological analysis, the vocal folds were stained with hematoxylin-eosin for quantification of the inflammatory response and with picrosirius red for quantification of collagen deposition. There was no quantitative difference in the inflammatory response between vocal folds injected with the corticosteroid and the control folds. However, collagen deposition was significantly lower in the corticosteroid-treated group at 3 and 7 days after the injury (p = 0.002). The present results suggest that dexamethasone reduces collagen deposition during acute vocal fold wound healing

Vários materiais têm sido introduzidos nas pregas vocais na tentativa de solucionar a incompetência glótica, porém poucos são os estudos que avaliam o processo cicatricial decorrente da enxertia destes materiais. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi quantificar o processo inflamatório celular na prega vocal de coelhos submetidos a enxerto unilateral de gordura ou fáscia muscular. Estudamos 24 coelhos, divididos em 2 grupos, nos quais gordura ou fáscia foi enxertada. O grupo controle foi formado pela prega vocal contralateral, a qual foi submetida ao mesmo procedimento, excetuando-se a colocação do enxerto. Metade dos coelhos de cada grupo foi sacrificada após 90 dias, enquanto a outra metade foi sacrificada após 180 dias da cirurgia. A densidade celular inflamatória peri-enxerto foi avaliada em todas as pregas vocais. Houve um aumento do infiltrado inflamatório no grupo submetido à enxertia de gordura, quando comparado ao submetido à enxertia de fáscia. Bem como ao grupo controle, após 90 dias. Quanto aos coelhos sacrificados após 180 dias, não houve diferença entre os grupos entre si e em relação ao grupo controle. Esse estudo sugere que o enxerto de fáscia parece ser mais aceitável que o enxerto de gordura para a prega vocal, uma vez que origina menor reação inflamatória tecidual / Several material have been introduced into the vocal folds in attempt to solve glottic incompetence, however just a few studies are related with the consequent inflammatory process. The aim of this article was to quantify the cellular inflammatory process in rabbit vocal fold, which have undergone unilateral fat or muscular fascia introduction. Twenty-four rabbits were allocated into two groups, in which muscular fascia or fat were implanted. The control group, formed by the contra-lateral vocal fold, underwent the same surgical procedure, except for the grafting. Half the rabbits from each group were sacrificed after 90 days from the surgery, while the other half was sacrificed after 180 days. The inflammatory cellular density around the graft was measured in all vocal folds. There was a higher cellular inflammatory reaction in the group submitted to fat grafting when compared to the group submitted to muscular fascia grafting, and to the control group, after 90 days. As for the rabbits sacrificed after 180 days, there was no significant difference between the implanted groups with each other, and with the control group. This study suggests that muscular fascia graft seems to be more acceptable than fat grafts for the vocal fold, as it produces a lower local inflammatory reaction

The aim of this study was to describe the laryngeal anatomy, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic vocal characteristics of school-aged children with and without ADHD. The predisposition that children with ADHD have for laryngeal injuries are recurrent in nature and are more often than not overlooked as laryngitis. Previous studies have reported varied results on the prevalence rates of paediatric VFN within the school-aged ADHD population. A static, two-group comparison was used in the study to investigate the clinical, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic vocal characteristics of children between 7 and 9 years old with and without ADHD. The study replicated the protocol as executed by Barona-Lleo and Fernandez (2016) with additions. The Multidimensional Voice Program (MDVP) and the Voice Range Profile (VRP) as additions to the assessment of vocal parameters were used with which comparable dysphonia severity index (DSI) scores were calculated. Once-off clinical, perceptual, acoustic and aerodynamic voice assessments were conducted on 20 age-gender matched participants. The difference in assessment results between the vocal characteristics of children without a history of ADHD (control group) and those of children with ADHD (ADHD group) was then investigated and described. Forty five percent (n=9) of the total sample population had laryngeal pathology. Comparable parent reported etiological voice symptoms and vocal habits were seen across both groups. Both groups performed similarly across both perceptual and aerodynamic voice assessments. Acoustically, the control group achieved significantly higher producible pitches than the ADHD group (p=0.028) and were found to have more dysphonic DSI scores than their ADHD group peers (p=0.034). Prepubertal, school-aged children with or without ADHD may have similar vocal characteristics than previously thought. This variation in school-aged children warrants further research into larger sample sizes with this population with a special focus on the effect that CNS stimulants may have on the voice. / Dissertation (MCommunication Pathology)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology / MCommunication Pathology / Unrestricted

Previous studies have found vocal fold hydration to be crucial for healthy function of the vocal mechanism. Surface tissue hydration facilitates efficient vocal fold oscillation. The composition of vocal fold surface fluid includes protective water and mucus layers, similar to the fluid that covers the mucosa and epithelia of the upper airway. Laryngeal dehydration has been linked to several factors such as mouth breathing, obstructive sleep apnea, dry air exposure, upper airway hypersensitivity, and certain diseases or behavioral voice use factors. Laryngeal dehydration affects phonation threshold pressure (PTP) and phonation threshold flow (PTF), defined as the pressure and flow observed at the onset of phonation, respectively. The application of topical nebulized isotonic saline (0.9% Na+Cl-) has been shown in previous work to decrease PTP. However, there are no studies examining the effects of aerosolized saline, administered supraglottally, on dehydrated excised porcine larynges. Examining the effects of aerosolized saline in an excised model is essential to determine any independent effects of this treatment in the absence of other physiologic mechanisms such as mucus secretion. This study sought to investigate the effects of aerosolized saline on dehydrated animal vocal folds to determine if the administration of supraglottic aerosolized saline, via a nebulizer, could reverse the adverse effects of laryngeal dehydration. The study included a prospective, mixed experimental design with two groups, one desiccation/aerosolization (A/B) group and a control (A) group, each comprised of five bench-mounted porcine larynges. Larynges in both groups received desiccated air (<1% relative humidity) supraglottally via custom tubing for 1-min doses until the vocal folds ceased audible phonation. Following the desiccation challenge, the A/B group received 2-min doses of aerosolized isotonic saline until phonation began again. The PTP and PTF were measured during phonation trials following each dose of the desiccation or aerosolization treatment. Significant changes in PTP and PTF were observed following both the dehydration and aerosolization treatment. The PTP increased significantly following the dehydration challenge and returned near baseline following the aerosolization treatment. The results of this investigation supported the hypothesis that the administration of aerosolized saline may reverse the adverse effects of vocal fold dehydration. Moreover, in a more physiologically realistic excised model, applying the mechanics of respiration, this study advanced the development of innovative theories related to the reversal of the adverse effects of dehydration, which may prevent the development of voice disorders.

No description available.

At any given time, 3-9% of the general population experiences a voice problem. The incidence of voice disorders in children can vary anywhere between 6 and 23%, yet, only 2-4% of the population are seen by speech-language pathologists for further assessment and treatment. Voice disorders have negative effects on the social, emotional, and physical functioning of the child. Unfortunately, there is little known about the appropriate management of children with voice disorders. Depending on the nature of the voice disorder, different approaches, including behavioral voice therapy, vocal hygiene management, or medical intervention, are available. However, a concern with behavioral voice therapy is the ability of the child to transfer skills learned in clinic to an outside setting - limiting generalization and adaptation of the new behavioral approach. Biofeedback has been successfully used in adults with voice disorders to help generalize new vocal behaviors. Such data is lacking in the treatment of voice problems in the pediatric population. The current case study aimed to understand the use of biofeedback in an eight-year-old male who was diagnosed with a unilateral vocal fold lesion, who exhibited difficulty maintaining and generalizing his new vocal behaviors. It was hypothesized that the child would benefit from biofeedback and would maintain new vocal behaviors including the use of a safe and efficient voice pattern outside the clinic setting. Longitudinal data on vocal parameters including the pitch, loudness, and vocal fold vibration were obtained over a period of five weeks using an ambulation phonation monitor (APM). The APM uses an accelerometer attached to the sternal notch and measures pitch, loudness, and vocal fold vibration, which helps determine an individual’s daily voice use pattern and thereby determines the appropriate biofeedback setting. The five week period included (a) a week of pretesting, (b) two weeks of biofeedback, (c) a week of post-testing immediately following the week of biofeedback, and (d) a generalization testing two months post-study. During the five-week period, vocal parameters were monitored for an average of 7- 10 hours for 2-3 days each week. On weeks two and three, the child was provided with biofeedback on loudness levels based on his data from the pretesting week. Results indicated change in vocal parameters including loudness and vocal fold vibration patterns during the weeks of biofeedback. However, such generalization was not observed neither during immediate post feedback monitoring nor two months following the study protocol. Such data provide immediate effects from biofeedback on vocal behavior, however, motor learning principles, dose, and frequency of biofeedback will be discussed to further understand the long-term effects of biofeedback in children with voice problems.