Minor Structural Alterations of the Vocal Fold Cover: Vocal Quality before and after Treatment

• Published in: International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. e522 - e529
• Main Authors: Brito, Tatiany Cíntia da Silva, Silva, Jullyane Florencio Pacheco da, Moraes, Bruno Teixeira, Vilela, Mirella Bezerra Rodrigues, Ximenes, Coeli Regina, Vasconcelos, Daniela de, Cardoso, Nathália Suellen Valeriano, Gomes, Adriana de Oliveira Camargo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Rua do Matoso 170, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, CEP 20270-135, Brazil Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda 01-10-2021; Fundação Otorrinolaringologia
• Subjects: microsurgery; Original Research; OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY; speech therapy; vocal folds; voice disorders; voice quality; voice quality; voice disorders; microsurgery; speech therapy; vocal folds
• ISSN: 1809-9777; 1809-4864; 1809-4864
• DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1719121

Abstract
Introduction
 Minor structural alterations of the vocal fold cover are important causes of dysphonia. The variability in the type of alteration and the grade of vocal deviation affects the definition of the conduit and the results of treatment.
Objective
 To characterize the occurrence, the selected treatments adopted and vocal quality before and after treatment in patients with minor structural alterations of the vocal folds cover.
Methods
 This was a cross-sectional study based on the records of patients treated by an interdisciplinary team at the laryngology outpatient clinic of a public university hospital from 2010 to 2018. Data collection consisted of access to a database of information on otorhinolaryngological diagnostic hypotheses, intervention and perceptual-auditory vocal assessments before and after the treatment. Data from 102 subjects were analyzed. Association tests were applied between the perceptual-auditory vocal results and the different alterations found and between these and the adopted treatments. The results of the degrees of vocal deviation before and after treatment were also compared.
Results
 The degree of roughness was associated with the sulcus vocalis, and in this alteration the highest occurrence was mild degree of roughness. There was an improvement in the breathiness and general grade of vocal deviation after treatment.
Conclusion
 Cysts were the most frequent structural alteration in the population studied. There was an association between the degree of general deviation and that of roughness in sulcus vocalis cases. The breathiness and the general grade of vocal deviation improved after treatment regardless of the type of treatment and alteration.