My pubs

OBJECTIVES: Singers and voice teachers are exposed to a range of noise levels during a normal working day. This study aimed to assess the hearing thresholds in a large sample of generally healthy professional voice teachers and voice students to determine the prevalence of hearing loss in this population. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was carried out. METHODS: Voice teachers and vocal students had the option to volunteer for a hearing screening of six standard frequencies in a quiet room with the Shoebox audiometer (Clearwater Clinical Limited) and to fill out a brief survey...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) into the laryngopharynx causes or contributes significantly to a variety of upper respiratory problems in children. The pH probe, laryngeal examinations, and broncholveolar lavage results for children with subglottic stenosis, recurrent croup, apnea, chronic cough, laryngomalacia, recurrent choanal stenosis, vocal fold nodules, and chronic sinusitis/otitis/bronchitis were reviewed in an effort to quantify the role of GER in each of these disorders. This review suggests that GER plays a causative role in subglottic stenosis, recurrent croup, apnea, and chronic cough...

A patient with Wegener's granulomatosis rapidly developed a circumferential subglottic stenosis while on a cyclophosphamide regimen that had caused resolution of systemic symptoms and pulmonary infiltrates. The stenosis developed in the area of previously noted tracheal ulceration and responded satisfactorily to carbon dioxide laser therapy.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) plays a causative role in the development of subglottic stenosis (SGS) in children. This study examined the impact of aggressive antireflux therapy on the clinical outcomes of 35 children. Since 1994, 25 children were treated aggressively with omeprazole and cisapride before endoscopic surgical repair of their stenoses, which ranged from Cotton grades 1 to 3. Nine patients became asymptomatic on antireflux therapy alone. Endoscopic repair was performed in 16 patients. Endoscopic repair failed in only 1, who required tracheotomy...

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine, Gardasil, on the disease course of patients with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP). METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients with RRP was conducted and 20 patients were selected who had received the Gardasil vaccine as part of their treatment. Efficacy was assessed by calculating the intersurgical interval (ISI) before and after receiving the vaccine, as well as number of complete and partial remissions...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

OBJECTIVE: Botulinum toxin is used to treat a wide range of dystonias in the head and neck. Occasionally, patients receiving laryngeal botulinum toxin experience severe dysphagia, dyspnea, or even distant and autonomic symptoms. Rarely, these patients may require hospitalization with possible intubation and placement of nasogastric tubes. Botulinum antitoxin is not readily available and ineffective once symptoms have progressed, so patients must wait until the toxin wears off over weeks to months...

OBJECTIVES: Singer's dystonia is a rare variation of focal laryngeal dystonia presenting only during specific tasks in the singing voice. It is underdiagnosed since it is commonly attributed to technique problems including increased muscle tension, register transition, or wobble. Singer's dystonia differs from technique-related issues in that it is task- and/or pitch-specific, reproducible and occurs independently from the previously mentioned technical issues.This case series compares and contrasts profiles of four patients with singer's dystonia to increase our knowledge of this disorder...

OBJECTIVE: Chemical denervation with botulinum toxin A is the current standard of treatment for spasmodic dysphonia, but dosage is determined individually after a titration period that can take months to years. The objective of this study was to determine if age, body mass index (BMI), overall health, and socioeconomic factors were associated with a patient's optimal dose of botulinum toxin. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This retrospective chart review looked at 32 patients with stabilized doses of botulinum toxin...