[Morphological conditions of dysphonia in patients with vocal folds edema].

Disorders of voice quality are mostly influenced by organic changes in larynx. In the assessment of ultrastructure of vocal fold mucosa the most useful is the technique of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The organic dysphonia is diagnosed by the perceptual, endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) assessment of larynx and acoustic assessment. The aim of the study was to determine morphological changes and voice quality disorders in patients with edema of larynx.

METHODS

40 patients with vocal folds edema (I group) and 10 patients with no pathological changes of larynx (II group) were included in the study. The morphological assessment of vocal folds mucosa was carried out with the usage of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The voice quality was examined by the subjective and objective methods. The endoscopic and stroboscopic (VLS and VLSS) examination of larynx and acoustic analysis of voice were carried out.

RESULTS

Morphological changes of vocal folds mucosa were observed. Epithelial cells showed features of vacuolar degeneration. Moreover enlargement of intercellular spaces, small rugosity of basal membrane and inflammatory infiltration of stroma, a large number of blood vessels and a cumulation of elastic and collagenous fibers were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Stillness of vocal folds influenced disorders of voice quality with features of dysphonia. The endoscopic and stroboscopic examination of larynx clinically shows the morphological changes of vocal folds mucosa. Simple and non-invasive acoustic examination of voice in patients with edema of larynx objectively confirms the subjectively registered dysphonia.