OBJECTIVETo investigate the application and significance of aerodynamic parameters in voice function assessment.

METHODSThe phonatory aerodynamic system (PAS) was used to collect aerodynamic parameters from subjects with normal voice, vocal fold polyp, vocal fold cyst, and vocal fold immobility. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to compare measurements across groups.

RESULTSPhonation threshold flow (PTF), mean flow rate (MFR), maximum phonation time (MPT), and glottal resistance (GR) in one hundred normal subjects were significantly affected by sex (P < 0.05), while phonation threshold pressure (PTP), subglottal pressure (SGP), and vocal efficiency (VE) were not (P > 0.05). PTP, PTF, MFR, SGP, and MPT were significantly different between normal voice and voice disorders (P < 0.01), and there were no significant differences among the three disorders (P > 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis found that PTP, PTF, SGP, MFR, MPT, and VE in one hundred thirteen voice dis orders had similar diagnostic utility (P < 0.01), with PTP exhibiting the highest area under the curve. The aerodynamic parameters of the three degrees of voice dysfunction due to vocal cord polyps were compared and found to have no significant differences (P > 0.05). PTP, PTF, MFR, SGP and MPT in forty one patients with vocal polyps were significantly different after surgical resection of vocal cord polyps (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe aerodynamic parameters can objectively and effectively evaluate the variations of vocal function, and have good auxiliary diagnostic value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Glottis ; physiology ; Humans ; Laryngeal Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Phonation ; physiology ; Polyps ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Vocal Cords ; physiology ; Voice Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Voice Quality ; Young Adult

Laryngeal diseases are closely related to the swallowing and speech function of the patients.Protecting and restoring laryngeal function, while curing lesions, is vital to patients′ quality of life.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally invasive method which is widely used in the treatment of tumor, precancerous lesions, and inflammatory diseases.In recent years, it has been shown to have a protective effect on normal structures. This article reviews the clinical outcomes of laryngeal diseases treated with PDT since 1990 in order to evaluate its efficacy and significance. The complete remission rate of early-stage laryngeal tumors and precancerous lesions after PDT is 77.6%(249/321), and a promising effect on recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis has been observed thus far. The prolonged adverse effects of the first-generation photosensitizers have limited the application of PDT. With the improvement of photosensitizers and treatment strategies, PDT promises to be a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment method for laryngeal diseases.

Isshiki systematically developed thyroplasty in the 1970 s. Based on Isshiki′s classification of thyroplasty, laryngeal framework surgery was classified by the Phonosurgery Committee of the European Laryngological Society in 2001. Then laryngeal framework surgery became more systematic and standardized, and made new progress in clinical applications and basic theoretical research. This article mainly expounds new progress in laryngeal framework surgery over the last five years.