Voice handicap in singers.

The study aimed to determine the differences in responses to the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) between singers and nonsingers and to evaluate the ranked order differences of the VHI-10 statements for both groups. The VHI-10 was modified to include statements related to the singing voice for comparison to the original VHI-10. Thirty-five nonsingers with documented voice disorders responded to the VHI-10.

Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing: patient characteristics and analysis of safety in 1,340 consecutive examinations.

Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST) is a comprehensive endoscopic assessment of the sensory and motor components of a swallow. Previous studies addressing patient safety issues with respect to FEESST included relatively small numbers of patients and paid almost no attention to patient characteristics. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of FEESST-related complications in the outpatient and inpatient settings and to analyze patient diagnoses that led to the performance of FEESST.

Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility: incidence and pathophysiology of aspiration.

Objectives/hypothesis: The objective was to examine the incidence and pathophysiology of aspiration in patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility presenting with dysphagia.

Study Design: Retrospective review of flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing with sensory testing (FEESST) data and medical records in two tertiary medical care centers.

Methods: The data for all patients with unilateral vocal fold immobility who underwent FEESST between 2000 and 2003 were reviewed.

Hypopharyngeal perforation near-miss during transesophageal echocardiography.

Objectives/hypothesis: The traditional blind passage of a transesophageal echocardiography probe transorally through the hypopharynx is considered safe. Yet, severe hypopharyngeal complications during transesophageal echocardiography at several institutions led the authors to investigate whether traditional probe passage results in a greater incidence of hypopharyngeal injuries when compared with probe passage under direct visualization.

Study Design: Randomized, prospective clinical study.

High-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy in tinnitus treatment.

Objectives/hypothesis: Electromagnetic therapy has been used with reported success in multiple clinical settings, including the treatment of seizure disorders, brain edema, migraine headaches, revascularization of burn wounds, and diabetic ulcers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of pulsed high-frequency electromagnetic therapy on chronic tinnitus.

Study Design: A randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of high-frequency pulsed electromagnetic energy using the Diapulse device in the treatment of chronic tinnitus.