Profile of laryngological abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

J Laryngol Otol. 2007 Nov;121(11):1064-9. doi: 10.1017/S002221510700610X. Epub 2007 Feb 26.

Abstract

Few studies have described laryngological evaluation of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We assessed the laryngological abnormalities of 35 such patients (24 bulbar onset and 11 limb onset). In nine limb onset patients, we discovered signs of early vagal nerve dysfunction, prior to any clinical presentation of bulbar failure. However, in all bulbar onset patients studied, we noticed changes in the uni/bilateral position of the vocal folds and in the voice quality.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / complications*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / diagnosis
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / physiopathology
  • Deglutition Disorders / etiology
  • Dysarthria / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Laryngeal Muscles / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons
  • Stroboscopy
  • Vocal Cords / physiopathology*
  • Voice Disorders / diagnosis
  • Voice Disorders / etiology*
  • Voice Disorders / physiopathology