Spasmodic Dysphonia
(SD; Adductor Laryngeal Breathing Dystonia (ABLD); Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia; Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia; Dysphonia, Episodic Laryngeal Dyskinesia; Laryngeal Dystonia; Spastic Dysphonia)
Pronounced: dis-FOH-nee-ah
Definition
Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a voice disorder. It occurs when the muscles of the throat freeze or go into spasms. Words are strangled and strained. Or, they don’t get out at all. Sounds are distorted. SD is a form of dystonia . In dystonia, the muscles involuntarily tighten and twist.
Throat
Causes
The exact causes of SD are unknown. It is categorized as a disorder of the central nervous system. Causes of dystonia, the greater condition, have been linked to damage to a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. These are structures deep within the brain that help control movement.
Risk Factors
These factors increase your chance of developing SD:
- Degenerative brain diseases (eg, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis )
- Another movement disorder (eg, tardive dyskinesia )
- Family history of SD—In some families, a gene on chromosome 9 may be connected to SD.
- Brain infection (eg, encephalitis )
- Exposure to toxins or certain medications (eg, phenothiazines)
- Gender: female
- Age: between 30-50 (typical age group when the first signs appear)
Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.
Symptoms
If you have any of these symptoms do not assume it is due to SD. These symptoms may be caused by other conditions. Contact your doctor if you have any of these:
- Squeaky, strained speech
- No speech at all
- Speech with the wrong pitch and tone
- Breaks in speech
- Breathy voice
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. She will also do a physical exam. Tests may include:
- Blood and urine tests to find toxins
- DNA testing for related genes
- MRI scan —a test that uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the brain
- CT scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the brain
Your doctor may refer you to a team of specialists, including:
- Neurologist—to evaluate your brain function
- Speech pathologist—to evaluate your speech and how it’s produced
- Otolaryngologist—to evaluate your vocal cords
Your doctors will determine which main type of SD you have:
- Adductor spasmodic dysphonia—spasms cause muscles to stiffen and close
- Abductor spasmodic dysphonia—spasms cause muscles to spastically open
- Mixed spasmodic dysphonia
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
- Local injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) to weaken and calm the muscles
- Medication to increase dopamine, a chemical in the brain that influences muscle movement
- Speech therapy techniques to relax muscles
- Brain stimulation using electrodes to prevent muscles from freezing and going into spasm
- Counseling to help deal with the condition
- Surgery to cut or remove nerves connected to the vocal cords (severe cases)
RESOURCES:
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
http://www.asha.org/
National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association
http://www.dysphonia.org/
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists
http://www.caslpa.ca/
Ontario Association for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
http://www.osla.on.ca/
References:
Daniilidou, P, Carding P, Wilson, J, Drinnan, M, Deary, V. Cognitive behavioral therapy for functional dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2007;116:717-722.
Diagnosis. National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association website. Available at: http://www.dysphonia.org/spasmodic/diagnosis.asp . Accessed December 2, 2008.
Dysphonia. Venes D. Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: FA Davis; 1985.
Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. 10th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster Inc; 1998; 361.
Mini medical school #3 dystonia—the basal ganglia. Spasmodic Torticollis website. Available at: http://www.spasmodictorticollis.org/treatmentCenter_MiscMiniBasal.cfm . Accessed December 2, 2008.
Schwartz J, Song P, Blitzer A. Spasmodic dysphonia. SpringerLink website. Available at: http://www.springerlink.com/content/q547087wl5111656/ . Published October 2007. Accessed December 2, 2008.
Spasmodic dysphonia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/SpasmodicDysphonia.htm . Accessed December 2, 2008.
Spasmodic dysphonia. EBSCO Publishing Nursing Reference Center website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/thisTopic.php?marketID=16topicID=860 . Updated February 2002. Accessed November 16, 2008.
Spasmodic dysphonia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/spasdysp.htm#causes . Accessed December 2, 2008.
Stedman’s Medical Dictionary. 28th ed. Baltimore, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2005;599
What is dysphonia? National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association website. Available at: http://www.dysphonia.org . Accessed November 20, 2008.
Last reviewed December 2008 by Elie Edmond Rebeiz, MD, FACS
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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