Multidisciplinary protocol proposal for professional dysphonia: preliminary study

Dysphonia has an occupational view nowadays. A shift in the voice-oriented professional's clinical approach has been required. New voice-oriented job categories have emerged and, as a result, the voice disorder in the professional enviroment has increased. The economic and productivity harm due to voice disorders are a preocupation. Dysphonia has multiple causes and its evaluation, ethiological conclusion and occupational reports aren't defined yet. AIM: In order to obtain a more accurate and comprehensive evaluation, a multidisciplinary protocol was elaborated to ensure proper medical scientific support. It consists of anamnesis, physical exam, laryngeal endoscopy, perceptive voice analysis and Voice Handicap Index application (VHI). STUDY DESIGN: Transversal historic cohort. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: In this preliminary study, the protocol was applied on 15 voice professionals with dysphonia. RESULTS: 13,3% with normal voice performance; 33,3% with functional dysphonia; 46% with organic dysphonia. Dysphonia was related to the voice-oriented job in 40% cases and it was ruled out in 46,6%. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the protocol is complete enough to help otolaryngologists evaluate this workers' category.A disfonia tem recebido um enfoque ocupacional crescente e torna-se necessário, ao otorrinolaringologista, atualizar a abordagem clínica dos trabalhadores que usam a voz como instrumento de trabalho, onde novas catagorias profissionais têm surgido e, com elas, as disfunções vocais conseqüentes às condições de trabalho. Hoje, há grandes preocupações com o prejuízo econômico e produtivo que o ditúrbio vocal possa gerar. Sabe-se que a disfunção vocal tem como característica a multicausalidade e, por isso, a avaliação, conclusão e emissão de relatórios médicos tornam-se incertos. OBJETIVO: Para melhor avaliar estes profissionais e garantir um atendimento com respaldo científico adequado, estabeleceu-se um protocolo multidisciplinar, que consiste em anamnese dirigida, exame físico, endoscopia laríngea, análise perceptiva da voz e aplicação do Voice Handicap Index (VHI). FORMA DE ESTUDO: Coorte histórica transversal. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Para testar o uso do método, em caráter preliminar, o protocolo foi aplicado em 15 profissionais que usavam a voz para trabalhar. Então, realizou-se um estudo retrospectivo com estes pacientes. RESULTADO: Demonstrou-se que 13,3% dos profissionais apresentaram performance vocal normal; 33,3%, disfonia funcional e 46%, disfonia orgânico-funcional. A disfunção vocal foi relacionada ao exercício do trabalho em 40% dos pacientes e em 46,6% ela foi descartada. CONCLUSÃO: Concluiu-se que o método é suficientemente abrangente e pode ser de utilidade ao otorrinolaringologista, para a avaliação clínico-ocupacional deste grupo de pacientes.59059

The effect of fibroblast growth factors in grafted fascia into the vocal fold of rabbits

The human larynx is a very important organ for communication. Many conditions lead to scarring of the vocal folds, decreasing voice quality. Objective We aimed to determine whether fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) may influence tissue integration of grafted fascia into the vocal folds of an animal model. This is an experimental animal study with 12 adult rabbits that were submitted to a grafting fragment obtained from superficial cervical fascia into the vocal fold lamina propria, bilaterally. The right vocal fold was injected with FGFs. The animals were sacrificed after 1 month or 12 months, depending on the group they were assigned to, and a histological analysis of their vocal folds was performed. We analyzed the histological changes (such as the presence of fibrosis and neovascularization) induced by the acute or chronic inflammatory reactions. Results The FGFs induced acute inflammatory changes in all animals after 1 month of the initial experiment. The presence of FGFs triggered more fibrosis than the expected due to the surgical procedure itself when compared with the control side of all animals after 12 months of the initial experiment. Conclusions Fibroblast growth factors alone do not represent a good therapeutic option in phonosurgery, since we observed higher levels of fibrosis in the vocal fold lamina propria. Further studies combining more substances may be necessary to elucidate the best option to be used in this kind of surgery.231606

Speech Rehabilitation After Total Laryngectomy: Long-term Results With Indwelling Voice Prosthesis Blom-singer.

To evaluate long-term use of indwelling Blom-Singer voice prosthesis (VP) for vocal rehabilitation of patients submitted to total laryngectomy (TL). We studied the influence of time of performance of tracheo-esophageal puncture (TEP), use of radiotherapy (XRT), patients' age and length of follow-up, on the rate of success of use of VP. Clinical prospective. Seventy-one patients were submitted to TL and rehabilitated with indwelling VP. Both otolaryngologist and speech pathologist evaluated all patients for the vocal functional issues during the follow-up. The relative data on time of placement of VP, time of use of PF, use of XRT, age, length of follow-up and interval of duration of each VP were recorded during the follow-up. There was 87% of patients with primary TEP and 13% with secondary. The follow-up varied from 12 to 87 months, with average of 38 months for primary and 51 months for secondary TEP. There were 59% of patients submitted to XRT. The general rate of success was of 94%. In primary TEP it was of 97% and in the secondary, it was 78% (p=0.07) and after two years, the success rate was of 96% in primary TEP and 75% in secondary TEP (p=0.07). The use of XRT and patient age did not influence the success of use of VP among primary and secondary TEP, independently of length of follow-up. Tendency to greater success rate in voice rehabilitation after TL with primary TEP was observed. Postoperative XRT and age did not influence success rate.71504-

Role Of Margin Status In Recurrence After Co2 Laser Endoscopic Resection Of Early Glottic Cancer.

In patients with early glottic squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) submitted to CO2 laser endoscopic resection, local disease recurrence was significantly correlated with the presence of positive additional surgical margins on permanent sections. To evaluate the rate of cancer recurrence in patients with early glottic SCC submitted to CO2 laser endoscopic resection according to margin status after resection, stage of disease and postoperative radiotherapy. The rate of larynx preservation and the length of hospital stay were also evaluated. Forty consecutive patients with early glottic cancer were subjected to laser endoscopic resection surgery of glottic cancer followed by frozen-section control of margins, with intraoperative enlargement of margins when positive. Adjuvant radiation therapy or enlargement of previous margins was indicated in the case of positive additional surgical margins on permanent section. Local recurrence occurred in three patients (7.5%), all with positive additional surgical margins on permanent section. Positive additional surgical margins on permanent section were related to 37.5% of recurrences and negative additional surgical margins with 0% of recurrences (p=0.006). All patients spent at most 1 day at the hospital.126306-1

Use Of Computerized Manometry For The Detection Of Pharyngoesophageal Spasm In Tracheoesophageal Speech.

To evaluate the utility of computerized manometry (CM) to identify pharyngoesophageal segment (PES) spasm during tracheoesophageal speech. Prospective clinical, controlled study. Intraluminal pressures of the PES were collected in 12 tracheoesophageal speakers without spasm and 8 tracheoesophageal speakers with PES spasm before and after localized injection of botulinum toxin to the PES. All subjects underwent voice analysis and videofluoroscopy in addition to CM before and after treatment. All tracheoesophageal speakers with PES spasm presented with mean intraluminal pressures greater than 16 mmHg (mean, 25.36 mmHg). In contrast, mean intraluminal pressures of subjects without spasm was 11.76 mmHg (P<0.05). The negative predictive value associated with the use of 16 mmHg as a threshold value for spasm was 100%. CM is a clinically useful tool to aid in speech rehabilitation for tracheoesophageal speakers. Intraluminal pressures of greater than 16 mmHg was highly predictive for PES spasm.139449-5

The role of spect/CT lymphoscintigraphy and radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy in managing papillary thyroid cancer

Single-photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) and radioguided sentinel lymph node biopsy (rSLNB) are techniques that could potentially benefit surgeons and pathologists in the identification of sentinel lymph node (SLN) metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Evidence suggests that these novel techniques lead to substantial changes in PTC management by reducing understaging and of occult lymph node (LN) metastases and optimizing neck surgery by increasing the necessity of lateral lymphadenectomy and decreasing central lymphadenectomy. To correlate the presence of LN metastases in PTC with clinical and pathological features using SPECT/CT and rSLNB. For this prospective cohort study from June 2010 to November 2013, 42 patients with thyroid nodules suspicious for papillary carcinoma or classified as malignant on cytology examination without suspicion of lymph node metastases by clinical and ultrasound examinations were recruited from a single public medical institution. All 42 patients underwent preoperative lymphoscintigraphy after an ultrasound-guided peritumoral injection of Technetium Tc 99m nanocolloid. Cervical images were acquired with a SPECT/CT scanner 15 minutes after radiotracer injection. Approximately 2 hours after lymphoscintigraphy, the patients were submitted to intraoperative rSLNB using a handheld gamma probe. All SLNs identified were removed alongside with non-SLNs from the same compartment. Papillary thyroid carcinoma, SLNs and non-SLNs were submitted for histopathology and immunohistochemical analyses. Of the 42 patients initially enrolled, 37 were included in analysis, including 6 men and 31 women with a mean (range) age of 47 (22-83) years. Overall, T stage was as follows: T1, 23 patients (62.2%); T2, 8 patients (21.6%); and T3, 6 patients (16.2%). Sentinel lymph nodes were identified in 92% of the patients, and among these metastases were present in 17 patients (46%). The SLNs were false-negative in 3 patients. Metastases in the lateral compartment ocurred in 7 patients (18%). There was a significant association between LN metastases and tumor size (odds ratio, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.13; P = .02), with a Cohen d effect of 0.683 (medium to large effect). Overall, 17 patients (46%) with LN metastases had management changed because they were submitted to higher radioiodine ablation doses and closer clinical surveillance CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Radioguided SLNB is able to detect occult cervical lymph node metastases in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma, and in 7 patients (18%) rSLNB detected lymph node metastases in the lateral compartments. The rSLNB technique lead to management change in 14 patients (37.8%)142983484

Levels And Patterns Of Expression Of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Glucose Transporter-1 And Cd105 In Adenoid Cystic Carcinomas With High-grade Transformation.

To compare the expression of proteins regulated by hypoxia between adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) with and without high-grade transformation (HGT).   In eight ACC-HGT and 18 ACC without HGT, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1) and microvascular density (MVD) by CD105 (a hypoxia-inducible protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells) was determined. Expression levels of HIF-1α and VEGF as well as CD105-MVD did not differ significantly between: (i) transformed and conventional areas (TA and CA, respectively) of ACC-HGT, (ii) CA and ordinary ACC. HIF-1α was detected in 100% of cases and presented a diffuse expression pattern. No significant association was found between levels of HIF-1α expression and tumour size, metastasis and recurrence. GLUT-1 showed a prostromal expression pattern and was observed exclusively in TA (three of six cases) and in only three of 14 ACC. Both the absence of significant alterations in levels of expression of HIF-1α, VEGF and CD105 and the patterns of expression of HIF-1α and GLUT-1 suggest that hypoxia may not play a key role in the process of high-grade transformation of ACC. Although HIF-1α expression is a common finding in ACC, it cannot be used as a marker of tumour aggressiveness.60816-2

Nova válvula fonatória para traqueotomia: uma proposta brasileira New tracheotomy speaking valve: a Brazilian proposal

Introdução: A traqueotomia está indicada em condições com obstrução respiratória alta ou doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica. As válvulas fonatórias (VF) de traqueotomia já foram anteriormente descritas, porém apresentam alto custo para o paciente, pois são todas importadas. Objetivo: Demonstrar a VF, desenvolvida na Universidade Estadual de Campinas, confeccionada em aço inox, para cânula de traqueotomia e a possibilidade de sua utilização na reabilitação fonatória desses pacientes. Forma de estudo: Clínico prospectivo. Material e Método: A VF, desenvolvida na Universidade Estadual de Campinas, foi utilizada em dez pacientes consecutivos. A válvula tem diafragma dentro de um corpo em aço inox com encaixes de plástico. Ela permite o direcionamento do ar para a laringe durante a fonação com oclusão do traqueotoma e abertura do mesmo na inspiração, sob baixa pressão. Resultados: Atualmente dez pacientes estão utilizando estas VF com fonação sem necessidade de oclusão do orifício externo da cânula e confortavelmente, inclusive durante o sono. Discussão: As VF para cânulas de traqueotomia melhoram a comunicação, inteligibilidade, higienização e umidificação das vias aéreas dos pacientes traqueotomizados. Há também melhora no aspecto emocional e diminuição das secreções orais e traqueais. O custo de produção dessa VF nacional é baixo e milhares de pacientes poderão ser beneficiados no Brasil. As crianças com traqueotomia podem apresentar retardo no desenvolvimento da linguagem. O uso da VF facilitará a comunicação e a interação social dessas crianças. Conclusão: A válvula fonatória metálica, desenvolvida na Universidade Estadual de Campinas, acoplada a uma cânula de traqueotomia metálica permite fonação, sem a oclusão digital da cânula, e respiração sob conforto.<br>Introduction: Tracheotomy is performed in conditions of upper airway obstruction or chronic pulmonary disorders. The use of tracheotomy speaking valves (TSV) has been described elsewhere but always at high cost for the patient, since all of them are imported. Aim: To demonstrate the TSV manufactured in stainless steel, developed at the State University of Campinas, and the possibility of its use in speech rehabilitation of tracheotomized patients. Study design: Clinical prospective. Material and Methods: The TSV developed was used in ten consecutive patients. The valve works with a diaphragm inside a body made of stainless steel with plastic attachments. It directs the air to the larynx during phonation and allows introduction of air through the valve during inspiration, with low pressure. Results: All ten patients are using the valve, speaking and breathing through it without distressing situations even during sleep. Discussion: The TSV improves communication, intelligibility, hygiene and humidification of the airway. The psychological condition and amount of secretions in the airway are improved too. This TSV has a low cost and can benefit many patients in Brazil. Children who have had tracheotomy could have a delay in acquisition of language. The use of TSV might be helpful for the communication and social interaction of these children. Conclusion: The TSV demonstrated is safe and allows effortless phonation without digital occlusion of the tube