Spasmodic dysphonia: description of the disease and associated neurologic disorders

Introduction: Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a problem that affects speech and vocalization, one of the most devastating disorders of oral communication. It is characterized by vocal quality tensaestrangulada, harshly and / or interspersed with abrupt vocal attack and a great tension in the vocal tract...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Coelho, Marina Serrato, Macedo, Evaldo, Oliveira, Marcela Schmidt Braz de, Lobo, Paulo, Soccol, Andréa Thomaz, Koerner, Heloisa Nardi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda. 2010-06-01
Series:International Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
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Online Access:http://www.arquivosdeorl.org.br/conteudo/acervo_eng.asp?id=681
Description
Summary:Introduction: Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a problem that affects speech and vocalization, one of the most devastating disorders of oral communication. It is characterized by vocal quality tensaestrangulada, harshly and / or interspersed with abrupt vocal attack and a great tension in the vocal tract. The etiology of spasmodic dysphonia is unclear. Some authors point to psychogenic causes, neurological or even unknown. Objective: To assess the prevalence of muscular dystonias and other neurological symptoms in patients with ED. Method: A retrospective study of 10 cases with diagnosis of ED for symptoms and neurological disorders associated. Results: There was a significant predominance of the disease in females (9:1). The average age of onset of symptoms was 32 years, ranging between 14 and 60 years. The mean disease duration was 10 years. Among the patients, 87.5% had a diagnosis of disorders of movement made by a neurologist, including orofacial dystonias (50%), essential tremor (50%) and spastic paraparesis (12%). Conclusion: The presence of movement disorders followed almost all cases of spasmodic dysphonia. More studies are needed to clarify the pathophysiological basis of disease.
ISSN:1809-9777
1809-4864