| Spasmodic dysphonia | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Laryngeal dystonia |
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Breaks in the voice making a person difficult to understand[1] |
| Complications | Depression, anxiety[2] |
| Usual onset | 30s to 50s[1] |
| Duration | Long term[1] |
| Types | Adductor, abductor, mixed[1] |
| Causes | Unknown[1] |
| Risk factors | Family history[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Examination by a team of healthcare providers[1] |
| Differential diagnosis | Stuttering, muscle tension dysphonia[2] |
| Treatment | Botulinum toxin into the affected muscles, voice therapy, counselling, amplification devices[1] |
| Frequency | 2 per 100,000[1] |
Spasmodic dysphonia, also known as laryngeal dystonia, is a disorder in which the muscles that generate a person's voice go into periods of spasm.[1][2] This results in breaks or interruptions in the voice, often every few sentences, which can make a person difficult to understand.[1] The person's voice may also sound strained or they may be nearly unable to speak.[2] Onset is often gradual and the condition is lifelong.[1]
The cause is unknown.[1] Risk factors may include family history.[1] Triggers may include an upper respiratory infection, injury to the larynx, overuse of the voice, and psychological stress.[1] The underlying mechanism is believed to typically involve the central nervous system, specifically the basal ganglia.[1] Diagnosis is typically made following examination by a team of healthcare providers.[1] It is a type of focal dystonia.[3]
While there is no cure, treatment may improve symptoms.[1] Most commonly this involves injecting botulinum toxin into the affected muscles of the larynx.[1] This generally results in improvement for a few months.[1] Other measures include voice therapy, counselling, and amplification devices.[1] If this is not effective, surgery may be considered; while evidence to support surgery is limited,[1] some have recovered following surgery.[4]
The disorder affects an estimated 2 per 100,000 people.[1] Women are more commonly affected.[1] Onset is typically between the ages of 30 and 50.[1] Severity is variable between people.[2] In some, work and social life are affected.[2] Life expectancy is, however, normal.[5]