Spasmodic dysphonia (also known as laryngeal dystonia) is a movement disorder featuring involuntary contractions of the vocal cord muscles. These contractions may result in patterned “breaks” or interruptions in speech, or may give a breathy quality to the voice.
Most cases of spasmodic dysphonia develop in adults.
Terms used to describe laryngeal dystonia include: spasmodic dysphonia (SD); adult-onset focal dystonia.
- Symptoms
The voice may sound raspy and strangled, or breathy and whispery, depending on which laryngeal muscles are involved. It may take added effort to speak, but the voice may improve when whispering, laughing, or singing. Symptoms may vary during the day, become aggravated by certain speaking tasks—such as talking on the phone—or increase during stressful situations. Symptoms may improve after sleeping or after consuming alcohol. Although spasmodic dysphonia may appear at any time during adulthood (and even in adolescence), symptoms most commonly start in people between 40–50 years old.
- Different Types
Adductor spasmodic dysphonia: This form is the most common. The muscles that bring the vocal cords together contract involuntarily and excessively during speech. This causes a tight, strangled-sounding voice quality, often with abrupt starting and stopping of the voice resulting in a broken speech pattern.
Abductor spasmodic dysphonia: In this form, the muscles that separate the vocal cords contract involuntarily, causing them to be held apart, and resulting in a breathy, whispering voice.
Adductor breathing spasmodic dysphonia: Also called respiratory dystonia, this rare condition affects the muscles that bring the vocal cords together. However, instead of contracting during speech (like in adductor spasmodic dysphonia described above), the muscles do so during breathing. Theses spasms create noisy and labored breathing. Individuals may also experience trouble swallowing due to difficulty breathing while eating.
A combination of the above: Some individuals have symptoms that resemble more than one classification of spasmodic dysphonia. Others may have a voice tremor and/or tremor affecting adjacent areas.
- Cause
Researchers are investigating possible triggers of spasmodic dysphonia. Several genes that predispose patients to spasmodic dysphonia have been identified, and about 12% of individuals with spasmodic dysphonia have a positive family history.
Injury to the larynx or neck area may trigger spasmodic dysphonia. Infection or inflammation may also have a role in precipitating this disease. Experts believe spasmodic dysphonia is the result of excessive signals arising from the brain that cause the vocal cord muscles to contract inappropriately. However, why the brain delivers
these excessive signals is not completely understood.
- Diagnosis
Spasmodic dysphonia is reported to be one of the most frequently misdiagnosed conditions in speech-language pathology. Because there is no definitive test for the spasmodic dysphonia, the diagnosis rests on a physician’s ability to identify the symptoms and signs in the absence of other conditions that may mimic spasmodic dysphonia.
It is important that an interdisciplinary team of professionals evaluate and provide accurate diagnosis. This team usually includes a speech-language pathologist who evaluates voice production and voice quality; a neurologist who carefully searches for other signs of dystonia or other neurological conditions; and an otolaryngologist who examines the vocal cords and their movements.
The excessive strain and misuse of muscle tension dysphonia, the harsh strained voice of certain neurological conditions, the weakened voice symptoms of Parkinson's disease, certain psychogenic voice problems, and voice tremors are often confused with spasmodic dysphonia.
- Treatment
Individuals with spasmodic dysphonia may learn compensatory habits, or tricks, to make speaking easier. For example, someone with adductor spasmodic dysphonia that has a very strained, choked-sounding voice may find that symptoms are reduced by whispering. The whispery voice may initially sound like the less common, abductor form because of how the individual is trying to control the symptoms. Humming before speaking or breathing techniques may also be helpful. For patients whose symptoms persist and require treatment, botulinum neurotoxin injections are generally recommended.
Speech/voice therapy is often incorporated into the treatment plan, especially before and after botulinum neurotoxin injections. Voice therapy can address the fatigue associated with the added effort required to speak. Techniques that focus on controlling the breath and using the breath to make the most of the voice may be surprisingly helpful. Weeks or months of voice therapy may be required.
Oral medications may also be tried but are rarely as effective as injections, and are not without side effects. In the most refractory of cases of adductor laryngeal dystonia, a surgical procedure called selective laryngeal adduction denervation and reinnervation (SLAD/R) may be an option. Botulinum neurotoxin injections may still be needed following the surgery, and the procedure’s benefits may not be permanent.
- What Type of Doctor Treats Spasmodic Dysphonia?
The diagnosis of spasmodic dysphonia may be made by a speech-language pathologist, otolaryngologist (i.e. ear, nose, and throat specialist), and/or neurologist with training in movement disorders. Ongoing treatment may require consultations with multiple specialties. For example, a neurologist or otolaryngologist may administer botulinum neurotoxin injections while a speech-language pathologist conducts voice therapy.
- Does Spasmodic Dysphonia Progress?
Individuals with spasmodic dysphonia may first notice hoarseness or a sore throat that does not improve. Symptoms may worsen over a relatively brief period of time before stabilizing. Most cases of spasmodic dysphonia occur in isolation, meaning that the larynx is the only muscle affected by dystonia. However, in some cases, dystonia may eventually involve different areas including the eyelids (blepharospasm), the jaw (oromandibular dystonia), or the neck (cervical dystonia). It may also occur as part of childhood onset generalized dystonia, which affects the body and limbs.
- Living with Spasmodic Dysphonia
Living well with spasmodic dysphonia is possible. The early stages of onset, diagnosis, and seeking effective treatment are often the most challenging. The symptoms may vary from mild to severe, and symptoms often fluctuate from day to day. Fatigue is common due to the exertion required to speak. Individuals may have to learn new ways to accomplish daily tasks, particularly those requiring the voice.
Individuals living with spasmodic dysphonia are strongly encouraged to:
- Seek out the best medical care
- Learn about spasmodic dysphonia and treatment options
- Develop a multi-layered support system of support groups, online resources, friends, and family
- Seek expert mental health professionals to diagnose and treat possible co-existing depression or anxiety disorders
- Investigate complementary therapies
- Get active within the spasmodic dysphonia and dystonia community
Other Resources: Click here for a list of healthcare professionals that help identify appropriate treatment options and symptom management strategies. Courtesy Dysphonia International.
Thank you to Dystonia Medical Research Foundation (USA) for allowing us to share this information. The DMRF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research for improved dystonia treatments and ultimately a cure, promoting awareness, and supporting the well-being of affected individuals and families.