Unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) is the complete immobility of one vocal fold. According to Sapienza and Ruddy (2013), “90% of vocal fold paralysis that occurs is unilateral and caused by damage to the peripheral nervous system” (p. 189). Vocal fold paralysis is typically considered a symptom of a disease or neurologic disruption. In one study, it was found that vocal fold paralysis was caused by surgical trauma, tumors or neoplasms, unknown or idiopathic factors, trauma, central nervous system dysfunction, radiation, inflammatory, cardiovascular, and other causes (Chen, Jen, Wang, Lee, & Lin, 2007). Symptoms of unilateral vocal fold paralysis may include: aphonia, abnormal vocal quality (breathy, hoarse, and/or strained), and dysphagia. Onset of UVFP may be life altering as the individual has to find compensatory strategies for voicing or even alternative methods of communication. The individual is also left susceptible to aspiration due to the lack of airway protection. These factors make it critical to diagnose the impairment so as to provide the appropriate treatment.
Mrs. Newman has been experiencing hoarseness and a change in her voice, but she did not seek medical help until she began to have difficulty swallowing. After being seen by her healthcare provider, she is scheduled for outpatient surgery for a direct laryngoscope to obtain a culture and take a biopsy.
One of the most common laryngeal pathological changes is called vocal fold nodules (Phillippe H. al., et 2009). While looking at vocal fold nodules, one may notice tiny bilateral lesions. The SLP may also discover that vocal fold nodules appear as proportional mass lesions. The history of vocal fold nodules dates back to 1866, when the pathology was first discovered by Turk (Simpson B al., et 2008). “Vocal fold nodules occur more frequently in children and women (Simpson B al., et 2008).” “Another interesting fact is that 95% of the vocal fold nodule cases among adults are female and 5% male (Phillipe 2009).” Vocal fold nodules cause an hourglass closure glottal configuration secondary to the nodules developing at the junction of the
From being diagnosed at a young age with dyslexia and apraxia of the speech, I am not sure where I would be without the help and encouragement of my speech pathologists. ‘Speech-language pathologists assess, diagnose, treat, and help to prevent communication and swallowing disorders in patients’ (Summary, www.bls.org, 2015). Along with helping their patients overcome or learn how to understand their disorders, speech pathologists must keep records.
This means that air does not pass through the vocal cords and so speech is not possible. Sometimes patients can have a tracheostomy tube that allows some air to go through the vocal chords and out of the mouth. Patients can have this type of tube if they are able to swallow without difficulty and if they do not need a tracheostomy tube with an inflated cuff in order to get air into the lungs.
The vocal note produced by the vibrations of the vocal folds is complex and made up of periodic (regular and repetitive) and aperiodic (irregular and non-repetitive) sound waves. The aperiodic waves are random noise introduced into the vocal signal owing to irregular or asymmetric adduction (closing) of the vocal folds. Noise impairs the clarity of the vocal note and too much noise is perceived as hoarseness.
Tommy Callahan, a 9-year old male, participated in a voice evaluation on September 5, 2015 through the services of the Jackson State University Center for Speech-Language Pathology. The evaluation took place during a single session. Tommy was escorted by his mother, Mrs. Kirsten Callahan. Mrs. Callahan provided the case history information.
Standardized tests are often used to assess sound in the initial, medial and final position of words and in conversation based on the needs of the individual child. Speech therapy is provided to discuss typical responses from the injection and also to counsel the patient regarding vocal quality between injections.
Watching my friends’ face quiver in disgust after recounting my experience of a videofluoroscopicy and my excitement from viewing the barium travel through the oropharyngeal and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, I realized I wanted to study the extraordinary field of Communication Sciences and Disorders. During my undergraduate career at East Carolina University, my anatomy and physiology class further fostered my enthusiasm for the field when discovering how intricate and complex it is for the human body to perform a simple task such as breathing and swallowing. I was able to utilize my thirst for knowledge of the human anatomy working in Dr. Perry’s Speech Imaging and Visualization Laboratory and enhance my writing skills by reviewing peer reviewed journal articles. Ultimately working and observing lab assistants create 3D anatomical models of the laryngeal mechanism, velopharyngeal mechanism, swallowing mechanism, skull and cranium,
Client X is a college student referred to the clinic by a music professor due to concerns of possible vocal nodules. During vocal juries, X’s professor commented that her voice became very airy, especially when using her high register. Client has also described her voice as husky, breathy, tense, and hoarse.
Also known as the voice box. It lies underneath the throat and allows us to talk.
Schwannomas are most commonly non-cancerous and begin in the hearing nerve. The hearing nerve can also be called the acoustic nerve, 8th cranial nerve, or the vestibulocochlear nerve. For the most part, this type of tumor is found in between the cerebellum and the pons at an angle. This type of tumor exhibits slow growth as these tumors slowly grow they move nerve fibers which can cause complications. Furthermore, they can form in any nerve that is peripheral as long as Schwann cells are present. If the Schwannomas form in the spinal canal they can form in a dumbbell shape which can then move in or out of the spinal canal using the nerve root. The main
What are the most common treatments for the condition? How long have these treatments been in use? Are they newer advances or older
There are many treatments to help with keeping people healthy and extending the life expectancy for this disease. One of the treatments
A Cormack and Lehane grade 2 view was obtained during laryngoscopy with a mackintosh 3 blade. A 6.5 cuffless nasal Ring, Adair and Elwyn tube was placed without difficulty.