Voice Analysis and Treatment Result According to Configuration of Sulcus Vocalis

성대구증의 형태에 따른 음향학적 분석 및 치료 결과

Background and Objectives : Sulcus vocalis could be classified into type I, type IIa, and type IIb. There have been a little reports about voice quality and treatment results related with types of sulcus vocalis. The authors conducted an analysis of voice and treatment according to different types of sulcus vocalis. Materials and Methods : This study was based on a retrospective chart review. The sulcus types were classified into type I and type II. Objective and subjective voice assessments were analyzed. Patients were treated individually with voice therapy, percutaneous steroid injection, and injection laryngoplasty. Comparison was performed on the voice difference between type I group and type II group, and between pre-treatment and post-treatment of each types. Results : One hundred and one patients were enrolled into this study, and 49 patients were type I and 52 patients were type II. Type I group showed longer mean maximal phonation time (MPT) than type II group, although other voice parameters didn't show any difference between two groups. Even after the management, almost all of the voice parameters didn't show improvement except MPT of type II group. Conclusion：Although the type I sulcus has been known as a non-pathologic lesion, it can result in some degree of voice change and discomfort, and thus need an active management. In this study, voice therapy, percutaneous steroid injection, and injection laryngoplasty showed limited effect to the both types of sulcus vocalis. Further studies for management of sulcus vocalis were needed.