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Ear, Nose & Throat Associates |
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ENT Voice Services
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INTRODUCTION
Voice disorders arise from the larynx ("voice box") and may be triggered by vocal strain, gastroesophageal reflux ("heartburn" or GERD), lesions on the vocal cords such as nodules, cysts, or polyps, sid effects from medications, trauma, neurologic disorders and smoking. Symptoms of throat disorders include hoarseness, throat discomfort, shortness of breath, swallowing disorders, and occasionally, ear pain.
 The field of throat disorders is known as laryngology. This field is rapidly developing with new techniques for diagnosing throat abnormalities using special fiberoptic endoscopes in an ENT office to examine the anatomy of the larynx and esophagus. Increasingly, these special scopes are being adapted to allow for office-based treatment of vocal cord abnormalities, without the need for general anesthesia. Video stroboscopy allows for visualization of changes in fine vocal cord motion that improves diagnosis of subtle voice problems. The physicians at Ear, Nose and Throat Medical Associates of San Mateo are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for patients with voice disorders using the latest technology for diagnosing and treating these disorders.
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Additional information:
Voice Fact Sheet (American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery)
Voice Disorders (AAO - HNS)
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HOARSENESS
Hoarseness is an abnormal vocal characteristic which is often described by the patient as a "coarse" or "gravely" or "rough" quality of the voice. It can be caused by straining the voice, smoking, some medications such as steroid inhalers, reflux disease, aging, benign growths on the vocal cords, vocal cord paralysis and, rarely, throat cancer. If an individual notices a change in the quality of his/her voice, then the symptom of hoarseness should prompt an individual to see an otolaryngologist for a complete examination.
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Additional information:
Hoarseness (AAO - HNS)
Tips for Healthy Voices (AAO - HNS)
Medication Effects on Voice (AAO - HNS)
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GROWTH ON VOCAL CORD
The specialist will carefully examine the patient's larynx with a fiberoptic scope or mirror and may elect for a more detailed study of the vocal cord motion with an office-based examination called video stroboscopy. If a growth is noted on the vocal cord, then the physician will discuss treatment options that could include speech therapy, an office-based procedure or microlaryngoscopy, which is performed under general anesthesia.
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Additional information:
Nodules, Polyps, and Cysts (AAO - HNS)
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VOCAL CORD PARALYSIS
If a vocal cord is paralyzed, then the physician will consider injecting a substance into the vocal cord to thicken it and, thereby, improve the patient's vocal quality. This technique is traditionally performed in the operating room under general anesthesia, but new endoscopic approaches are being developed to allow physicians to perform this procedure in the office. Other techniques for improving vocal quality include placing an external implant outside the vocal cord to push the vocal cord toward the center of the larynx to strengthen a breathy voice.
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Additional information:
Vocal Cord Paralysis (AAO - HNS)
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REFLUX AND HOARSENESS
Sometimes, reflux ("heartburn") is the cause of hoarseness: this disorder is treated with medication to reduce the stomach's acid production and dietary changes. Careful examination of the esophagus may be warranted in some individuals: today, this can be performed in an endoscopy suite with sedation, but is increasing performed as an office procedure by ENT physicians.
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Additional information:
Gastroesphageal Reflux (GERD) & Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR) (AAO - HNS)
Fiberoptic Esophagoscopy (Medtronics Website)
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THROAT CANCER
Symptoms of persistent hoarseness, ear pain, throat discomfort and/or weight loss, could indicate that a person has throat cancer. Individuals with a history of tobacco and alcohol abuse are particularly at risk for this type of cancer. If you notice these symptoms, it is important to promptly see an otolaryngologist who will carefully examine your throat and neck. If a suspicious lesion is noted, then your doctor may recommend a biopsy of the larynx as well as special imaging studies such as an MRI, CAT scan and/or PET scan. If diagnosed early, throat cancers are treatable and are increasingly managed with less invasive approaches than in the past. The physicians at Ear, Nose and Throat Associates work closely with their radiation therapy and oncology colleagues in the San Mateo community to provide careful and up-to-date care for head and neck cancer patients.
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Additional information:
Laryngeal (Voice Box) Cancer (AAO - HNS)
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100 South Ellsworth Avenue, Suite 308, San Mateo CA 94401
tel 650/344 6896 fax 650/344 2794
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805 Veterans Boulevard, Suite 115, Redwood City CA 94063
tel 650/369 1619 fax 650/474 2997
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