• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.24-28
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• 2021

Background and Objectives Vocal polyp is one of the most common benign diseases of vocal fold caused by overuse of voice. Laryngeal microsurgery is the first treatment of choice for vocal polyp. However, surgery has many risks such as side effects of general anesthesia, injury of tooth and psychological burden. And we often experience reduction of vocal polyps without surgical procedure. The purpose of study is to evaluate the effect of non-surgical treatment such as vocal hygiene education and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in patients with vocal polyp. Materials and Method We performed retrospective study for seventy-three patients of vocal polyp who treated with non-surgical modalities such as vocal hygiene education and PPI over three months. Treatment outcomes and risk factors such as age, sex, polyp size, position, symptom duration, presence of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) symptoms, smoking history, voice abuse history and vocal hygiene education were evaluated by comparison between polyp size improved group and non-improved group. Results 5.5% of enrolled patients showed complete response and 23.3% showed partial response without surgery. Polyp size improved group significantly carried out more practice of vocal hygiene education treatment than the non-improved group (p=0.040). And the presence of LPR symptoms [hazard ratio (HR) 3.368, confidence interval (CI) 1.055-10.754, p=0.040] and not performing of vocal hygiene education (HR 3.664, 95% CI 1.078-12.468, p=0.038). Conclusion Vocal hygiene education can be a useful treatment option when making a decision to treat with vocal polyp.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.112-116
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• 2015

Background and Objectives : Aerodynamic analysis is an examination which provides information regarding various vocalization measures indicating laryngeal efficiency. Voice evaluation using such examination must be capable of distinguishing between normal to abnormal voice. It also observes variables on aerodynamic characteristics by gender in regards to patients of vocal disorders, especially of vocal cord paralysis and vocal polyp, and compares the conditions before and after surgery. This paper therefore, seeks to build a framework for establishing standard levels of aerodynamical characteristic on vocal disorders. Subjects and Methods : The study was intended for a total number of 20 patients with vocal polyp or unilateral vocal cord paralysis. Those with the vocal polyp underwent laryngomycroscopy surgery and the vocal cord paralysis, vocal fold injection using Restylane. Aerodynamic analysis fulfilled the Maximum sustained Phonation (MXPH) and Voicing Efficiency (VOEF) by using PAS Model 6600 (KayPENTAX, USA). Results : In MXPH, increase in PHOT were evident with vocal polyp after surgery. As for patients with vocal cord paralysis, MAXDB, MEADB, DHODB, PHOT all have increased and MEAP, PEF, MEAF decreased after surgery. In VOEF, patients with vocal cord paralysis who underwent surgery showed increase in MAXDB, MEADB, DHODB, FET100, ARES, but decreases in PEF, TARF. Conclusion : Overall, it can be concluded that patients with the vocal polyp and vocal cord paralysis seemed to get closer to the normal values after than before surgery in majority of measures. This confirms that the function of their vocal cord has improved nearly to normality through operations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.102-107
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• 2016

Background and Objectives : Vocal polyps are caused by inflammation induced by stress or irritation. Many patients with vocal polyps complain voice discomfort. For vocal polyps, surgery such as laryngeal microsurgery has been the mainstay of management. We analyzed the clinical features of vocal polyps, and how the size and location of vocal polyps affect the outcomes of surgery. Methods : We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients from March 2014 to December 2015, who were diagnosed as unilateral single vocal polyp. When we operated on a vocal polyp with laryngeal microscopy, we measured their size and location. The quality of voice was evaluated by GRABS scale, jitter, shimmer, NHR (noise to harmonic ratio), MPT (maximum phonation time), and VHI (voice handicap index) before operation and 4 weeks after operation. Results : When we divided the patients into large-sized vocal polyp group (the longest length >3 mm) and small-sized vocal polyp group (the longest length ${\leq}3mm$), all parameter differences tend to be greater at large sized vocal polyp. However, these differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). When we divided into two groups depending on the volume of vocal polyp, no distinct tendency was found. When we compared the location (anterior, mid and posterior) of vocal polyp with the improvement of voice quality, more change was found at mid portion vocal polyp, except the difference of VHI. However, these differences were also not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion : All parameter differences tend to be greater at large vocal polyp and polyp of the mid location.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 1994

Though normal vocal cords show regular vibration, pathologic vocal cords show irregularity between peaks. Jitter means fluctuation in the time interval between peaks, and Shimmer means cycle to cycle variation in the amplitude of the peaks. We investigated the vocal vibration of Korean normal persons objectively. The fundamental frequency, Jitter, Shimmer and SNR(signal to noise ratio) of normal persons were compared with that of vocal Polyp Patients with CSpeech Program for the possibility of distinguishing the pathologic vocal vibration from normal. The results were as follows ; Comparing the fundamental frequency of vocal Polyp Patients with normal persons, great change was noted only in female cases. But the Jitter and Shimmer of vocal polyp patients were greater than normal significantly in both male and female cases. SNR was lower than normal in vocal polyp patients. In the conclusion, fundamental frequency, Jitter, Shimmer and SNR might be meaningful parameters distinguisuing pathologic vibration from normal.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.52-54
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• 2017

Vocal polyps are benign laryngeal lesions which arise from the Reinke's space abd hoarseness is the most common symptom. However, airway compromised is rarely presented in the vocal polyp. A rare case of large subglottic polyp causing dyspnea is reported. Tracheostomy was performed under local anesthesia and then the mass was resected under general anesthesia using a laryngofissure approach. The dyspnea and hoarseness disappeared after surgery immediately. The histopathological findings indicated a diagnosis of vocal cord polyp with chronic inflammatiuon. We consider that tracheostomy is the safest and most useful procedure to guarantee the upper airway in cases of large vocal polyp showing dyspnea. We hereby report a case of huge subglottic polyp in which a tracheostomy and laryngofissure was required for removing the subglottic mass successfully.

• Proceedings of the KOR-BRONCHOESO Conference
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• 1983.05a
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• pp.6.2-6
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• 1983

The clinical study of 108 laryngeal mass was observed in our E.N.T. department, and classified clinically and pathologically as below. 1) Among total case of 108 Vocal nodule is 28 (26 %) Vocal polyp is 46 (42.5 %) Laryngeal papilloma is 6 (5.5 %) Laryngeal tuberculosis is 4 (4%) Laryngeal cancer is 24 (22%) 2) The sex ratio of male to female is 5 : 7 in vocal nodule 11 : 12 in vocal polyp 1 : 1 in laryngeal papilloma 3 : 1 in laryngeal tuberculosis 5 : 1 in laryngeal cancer 3) The age distribution is fourth, fifth decade in vocal nodule is fifth, fourth decade in vocal polyp is first decade in laryngeal papilloma is third and seventh decade in laryngeal tuberculosis is sixth and seventh decade in laryngeal cancer 4) The location of mass is between the anterior 1/3 and middle 1/3 of vocal cord in vocal nodule, polyp and papilloma middle 1/3 and posterior 1/3 in laryngeal tuberculosis and glottic (50%), supraglottic (42%), infraglottic (8%) in laryngeal cancer 5) The side of lesion is bilateral in vocal nodule and papilloma, the ratio of right to left is 2 : 3 in vocal polyp 6) The size is 1-2mm in vocal nodule and papilloma, 3-5mm in vocal polyp more than 10mm in laryngeal tuberculosis and laryngeal cancer 7) The duration of symptom is within 1 years in vocal nodule and vocal polyp and laryngeal papilloma, 1-several years in laryngeal tuberculosis and laryngeal cancer 8) The most frequent symptom was hoarseness 9) All laryngeal cancer was sguamous cell carcinoma

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.48-51
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• 2012

Background and Objectives : Vocal fold cyst is generally treated by surgical resection, it has a difference with vocal fold polyp, treated by conservative management first. Decrease in mucosal waves is known as main diagnostic criteria of vocal fold cyst. Sometimes there is a difficulty for diffrential diagnosis between cyst and polyp only by endoscopic examination. The purpose of the study is to identify the objective features of vocal cyst and polyp on the basis of voice analysis for the proper differential diagnosis, especially at high pitched phonation. Materials and Method : The voice analysis was done in 15 focal fold cyst patients and 42 vocal fold polyp. Parameters of perceptual assessment, acoustic and aerodynamic measure, and voice range profile were compared between two groups. Results : Vocal fold cyst patients showed significantly reduced MPT by acoustic and aerodynamic analysis, narrowed frequency-range and low maximun frequency by voice range profile analysis compared with vocal fold polyp patient. Maximun frequency 381 Hz is established for cut off value, differential diagnosis between cyst and polyp (ROC analysis, sensitivity 60%, specificity 68%). Conclusion : Voice analysis is helpful for differential diagnosis between vocal fold cyst and polyp, especially there is a difficulty for distinguish cyst from polyp at clinical situation by endoscopic examination. The result of decreased maximum frequncy at vocal fold cyst supports incomplete high-pitched phonation and falsetto regester at vocal fold cyst patients due to decreased mucosal wave, compared with vocal fold polyp patients.

• Speech Sciences
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.157-168
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• 2008

Vocal polyp is one of the representative chronic diseases of vocal folds, and it can be cured by voice therapy and/or laryngeal microsurgery. However, the existing therapeutic methods about vocal polyp are in great demand. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of vocal improvement between laryngeal microsurgery and $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ (Seong-Tae Kim's Multiple Voice Therapy Technique), which was designed by the author. We identified 37 patients, who were diagnosed with unilateral vocal polyp, aged from 21 to 62 years(mean age: 46 years). 21 patients were treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ and the other 16 patients were only treated by the laryngeal microsurgery. All patients who were treated by the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$, received 12 sessions of treatment, and were evaluated before therapy and after finishing the 12th session. The patients who were treated by laryngeal microsurgery, were evaluated prior to and at least 8 weeks after surgery. The results showed that the $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ produced better results compared to the laryngeal microsurgery alone. The $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ produced better results, especially, at the initial stage of voice therapy compared with those of laryngeal microsurgery. In this study, we can suggest that $SKMVTT^{(R)}$ may be useful in improving the voice qualities of vocal polyp patients. However, more data should be collected and evaluated to be widely used in other clinics.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2007

This study aims to analyze the voices of the patients with voice disorders including vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp in the aspect of acoustic phonetics. This study intends to collect subsidiary acoustic data in order to make a speech treatment and an standardization of vocal disorders. Subjects and Methods: The subjects of this study were 64 adult patients who underwent indirect laryngoscopy and laryngostroboscopy, and were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst or vocal nodule/polyp. Experimental group consisted of 20 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold paralysis, 21 patients who were diagnosed as vocal fold cyst and had the average age of 42.0 $({\pm}10.03)$ ; and 23 patients who were diagnosed as vocal nodule/polyp and had the average age of 40.9 $({\pm}13.75)$. For the methodology of this study, the patients listed above were asked to sit in a comfortable position at intervals of 10cm apart from the patient's mouth and a microphone, and subsequently to phonate a vowel sound /e/ for the maximum phonation time with natural tone and vocal volume then the sound was directly inputted on a computer. During recording, sampling rate was set to 44,100Hz and the 1-second area corresponding to stable zone except the first and the last stage of waveform of the vowel sound /e/ vocalized by the individual patients was analyzed. Results: First, there was no statistically significant difference in jitter and shimmer between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst, while there was highly statistically significant difference in them between vocal fold paralysis and vocal nodule/polyp. Second, looking into the mean values obtained from NNE, HNR and SNR results associated with noise ratio, the disease showing the most abnormal characteristics was vocal fold paralysis, followed by cyst and nodule/polyp in order. For NNE, there was statistically significant difference between vocal nodule/polyp, and cyst or paralysis. In other words, it was found that the NNE of vocal nodule/polyp was weaker than that of cyst or paralysis. Similarly, HNR and SNR also showed the same characteristics; there was statistically significant difference between vocal fold paralysis and vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp, and HNR and SNR values of vocal fold paralysis were lower than those of vocal fold cyst or nodule/polyp. Conclusion: For vocal fold paralysis, the abnormal values of acoustic parameters associated with frequency, amplitude and noise ratio were statistically significantly higher than those of vocal fold cyst and nodule/polyp. This finding suggests that the voices of the patients with vocal fold paralysis are the most severely injured due to less stability of vocal fold movement, asymmetry and incomplete glottic closure. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the acoustic parameters of tremor among vocal fold paralysis, vocal fold cyst and vocal nodule/polyp. Further studies need to ascertain reasonable acoustic parameters with various vocal disorders as well as to clarify the correlation between acoustics-based objective tools and subjective evaluations.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.145-151
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• 2001

Background and Objectives : A voice therapy can be used the basic method for the voice improvement of patients with the voice disorders. However, according to each voice disorders, various results of treatments have been reported. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical features of the patients who did not improved after the voice therapy and to explore factors that could affect the results of the voice therapy. Material and Method : There are patients (n=49) diagnosed as the vocal nodule and patients (n=13) diagnosed as the vocal polyp. They received the voice therapy more than 6 times from September, 2000 to August, 2001. Clinical features, stroboscopic findings, esophagographic findings and PNS x-ray findings were compared between the improved and the nonimproved groups. Results : Before the voice therapy, PNS x-ray found two of all patients had the paranasal sinusitis. 14 of the vocal nodule patients (28.6%) and 8 of the vocal polyp (61.5%) had GERD in the esophagogram. However, the recovery rate after the voice therapy had no significant difference in both the vocal nodule and vocal polyp with GERD. In patients with the vocal nodule, 47 of 49 (95.9%) improved after the voice therapy. 6 of them were found the clearly decreased lesion in the stroboscopy. But, in patients with the vocal polyp, 7 of 13 (53.8%) improved after the voice therapy and did not have improvement through the stroboscopy. Conclusion : If the treatment of GERD is given with the voice therapy after the evaluation of GERD, it is helpful to increase the effects of the voice therapy. And, if patients were improved partially or unimproved after voice therapy, it was important to evaluate all factors-motivation, compliance and cooperation-related with patients will. Through this, some factors might be minimized except diseases differences.