Exploring autonomic dysfunction in functional dysphonia: A protocol for a case-control study and a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Although psychological factors have been implicated in patients with functional dysphonia (FD), conventional voice therapy (CVT) typically targets the aberrant voice symptoms exclusively. Yet, CVT is not always successful, and in view of the significant adverse quality of life impact combined with the financial burden on the healthcare system and society, research is needed to elucidate the underlying psychophysiology of FD and improve treatment outcomes.

Objectives: The first objective of this research project is to compare the occurrence and frequency of symptoms and/or disorders related to autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in patients with FD with gender- and age-matched vocally healthy controls, using a case-control study.

Consensus for voice quality assessment in clinical practice: guidelines of the European Laryngological Society and Union of the European Phoniatricians.

Introduction: To update the European guidelines for the assessment of voice quality (VQ) in clinical practice.

Methods: Nineteen laryngologists-phoniatricians of the European Laryngological Society (ELS) and the Union of the European Phoniatricians (UEP) participated to a modified Delphi process to propose statements about subjective and objective VQ assessments. Two anonymized voting rounds determined a consensus statement to be acceptable when 80% of experts agreed with a rating of at least 3/4.

Brain adaptation following various unilateral vocal fold paralysis treatments: A magnetic resonance imaging based longitudinal case series.

Aim: Examination of central compensatory mechanisms following peripheral vocal nerve injury and recovery is essential to build knowledge about plasticity of the neural network underlying phonation. The objective of this prospective multiple-cases longitudinal study is to describe brain activity in response to unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) management and to follow central nervous system adaptation over time in three patients with different nervous and vocal recovery profiles.

Materials And Methods: Participants were enrolled within 3 months of the onset of UVFP.

Neural Correlates of Healthy Sustained Vowel Phonation Tasks: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Neuroimaging Studies.

Objective: This review of the methodology and results of studies involving a sustained vowel phonation task during functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) aims to contribute to the identification of brain regions involved in phonation for healthy subjects.

Data Sources: This review was performed using the PubMed electronic database.

Review Methods: A review was conducted, according to PRISMA guidelines, between September and November 2020, using the following search term pairs: "fMRI and Phonation" and "fMRI and Voice.

Does the wearing of masks change voice and speech parameters?

Purpose: The authors aim to review available reports on the potential effects of masks on voice and speech parameters.

Methods: A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases through July 2021. Several targeted populations, mask scenarios and methodologies were approached.

A Systematic Review on Surgical Treatments for Sulcus Vocalis and Vocal Fold Scar.

Objectives/hypothesis: Vocal fold sulcus and scars are benign vocal fold lesions that present as a challenge to the laryngologist. A number of different surgical techniques have been proposed, aiming at restoring the lamina propria (LP), closing the glottal gap, or both. This study aimed to provide a systematic review of surgical treatment for sulcus and scar and to propose a new classification for these techniques.

Laryngeal Reinnervation: The History and Where We Stand Now.

Injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) can result in impairment of all three laryngeal functions. The RLN is capable of regeneration, but laryngeal functions in cases of severe injury remain impaired. This permanent impairment is caused by either incomplete regeneration and/or occurrence of laryngeal synkinesis.

Keys to successful type-1 thyroplasty with Montgomery® implant for unilateral laryngeal immobility in adults.

Based on a review of the medical literature, the authors document the key technical points and pitfalls in type I thyroplasty with Montgomery® implant, and the main results and indications in unilateral laryngeal immobility.

Union of the European Phoniatricians' position statement on the exit strategy of phoniatric and laryngological services: staying safe and getting back to normal after the peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (issued on 25th May 2020).

Background: The following position statement from the Union of the European Phoniatricians, updated on 25th May 2020 (superseding the previous statement issued on 21st April 2020), contains a series of recommendations for phoniatricians and ENT surgeons who provide and/or run voice, swallowing, speech and language, or paediatric audiology services.

Objectives: This material specifically aims to inform clinical practices in countries where clinics and operating theatres are reopening for elective work. It endeavours to present a current European view in relation to common procedures, many of which fall under the aegis of aerosol generating procedures.

Voice outcome indicators for unilateral vocal fold paralysis surgery: A survey among surgeons.

Introduction: Standardization of voice outcomes indicators (VOIs) is an important issue when it comes to evaluating and comparing surgical treatments for Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis (UVFP). In a recent review, 11 VOIs were found to represent 80% of the VOIs cited in the literature. A survey was launched among the European laryngologists to acquire surgeons' opinions on the above mentioned preselected VOIs.

Evolution of self-perceived swallowing function, tongue strength and swallow-related quality of life during radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Background: Radiation-associated-dysphagia is a serious side effect of radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Seventy-six patients had a weekly prospective follow-up from baseline until one week post-RT. Combined mixed model analysis (n = 43) determined the evolution of self-perceived swallowing function, isometric tongue strength (MIP), tongue strength (TS) during swallowing (Pswal), and quality of life (QoL) in these patients during RT.

Accuracy of Thyroid Cartilage Fenestration During Montgomery Medialization Thyroplasty.

Introduction: Accuracy of thyroid cartilage fenestration during Montgomery thyroplasty (MTIS) is considered a key success factor. The primary aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the accuracy of fenestration. Furthermore, recent publications indicate a possible discrepancy in MTIS voice outcomes related to gender.

Very long-term Voice Handicap Index Voice Outcomes after Montgomery Thyroplasty: A cross-sectional study.

Objective: The aim of this multicentric cross-sectional study was to examine the permanency of Montgomery thyroplasty (MTIS) results from a patient's perspective.

Design: The study consisted of collecting Voice Handicap Index (VHI-30) questionnaires from patients who had previously been operated with MTIS between 2 and 12 years before. Very long-term (>2 years) postoperative data were compared with the previously acquired preoperative and early postoperative VHI results.

International consensus (ICON) on basic voice assessment for unilateral vocal fold paralysis.

There is a growing need for evaluation tools allowing the quantification of the outcome after voice surgeries. Since the end of the 1990s, multiple unfruitful attempts have been made to reach a consensus, including the Dejonckere protocol for the European Laryngological Society in 2001. This suggested to perform objective and quantifiable measures in the following domains: perception, acoustic, aerodynamic, self-evaluation by the patient and videolaryngostroboscopy.

International consensus (ICON) on assessment of oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Objective: To present international recommendations regarding the proper evaluation of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD), both objectively and subjectively (self-evaluation).

Methods: Following a thorough review of the literature, 5 experts in the field from 4 different continents answered separately a questionnaire regarding the work-up of OD. Individual answers were presented and discussed during the world ENT conference that was held in Paris in June 2017.

Voice outcome indicators for unilateral vocal fold paralysis surgery: a review of the literature.

Introduction: There is no consensus on which voice outcome indicators (VOIs) should be used to compare the merits of the various surgical treatments for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP). Authors performed a literature review to identify which VOIs are most frequently used and most relevant, in terms of significant change in pre- and post-operative measurements, to assess UVFP surgical treatments.

Method: A Medline/Pubmed literature review was performed and the most frequently used VOIs were identified using a Pareto diagram.

The larynx ruler to measure height and profile of vocal folds: a proof of concept.

Introduction: Glottic leakage during phonation is a direct consequence of unilateral vocal fold (VF) paralysis. This air leakage can be in the horizontal plane and in the vertical plane. Presently, there is no easily applicable medical device allowing noninvasive, office-based measurement of the relative vertical position of the VFs.

Feasibility of tongue strength measurements during (chemo)radiotherapy in head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of tongue strength measures (TSMs) and the influence of bulb location, sex, and self-perceived pain and mucositis in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients during chemoradiotherapy (CRT).

Methods: Twenty-six newly diagnosed HNC patients treated with CRT performed anterior and posterior maximal isometric tongue pressures by means of the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI). The Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire (OMWQ) and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for pain during swallowing were completed weekly from baseline to 1 week post CRT.

Shape of Thyroid Cartilage Influences Outcome of Montgomery Medialization Thyroplasty: A Gender Issue.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the shape of the thyroid cartilage and gender influence voice outcomes after a Montgomery thyroplasty implant system (MTIS).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on 20 consecutive patients who underwent MTIS. Voice outcome variables were the relative decrease in Voice Handicap Index (%) and the absolute increase in maximum phonation time (MPT) (in seconds).

Megaesophagus associated with Myasthenia Gravis: a rare condition in humans.

We present the case of a 79 year-old patient with megaesophagus and aphagia, who required percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) feeding. Megaesophagus was considered the sole cause of aphagia by the referring secondary hospital. Solid state sensor videofluoromanometry (VFM) showed a substantial decrease in manometric values within the hypopharynx along with good relaxation of the upper-esophageal sphincter (UES).

Learning curve of medialization thyroplasty using a Montgomery™ implant.

Unlabelled: Type I thyroplasty--also called medialization thyroplasty (MT)--is considered as an effective treatment for glottic incompetence in general and for abductor vocal fold palsy in particular. In the past there have been some concerns about the experience a laryngeal framework surgeon should have in order achieve an acceptable voice outcome. To assess the learning curve of MT performed using the Montgomery(®) hard silicone implant.

Impending Carotid Blowout Stabilization Using an LT-D Tube.

Adequate stabilization of a patient presenting with a carotid blowout is one of the most challenging issues an on-call ENT surgeon can be confronted with. Reducing the bleeding and securing the airway are essential before more definitive management. We present the case of a 72-year-old patient with head and neck cancer who arrived at the emergency room with a carotid blowout and who was successfully stabilized using a King LT-D ventilation tube.