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Spasmodic Dysphonia

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Spasmodic Dysphonia

(SD; Adductor Laryngeal Breathing Dystonia (ABLD); Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia; Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia; Dysphonia, Episodic Laryngeal Dyskinesia; Laryngeal Dystonia; Spastic Dysphonia)

Definition

Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a voice disorder. It occurs when the muscles of the throat freeze or go into spasms. Words are strangled and strained or they don’t get out at all. Sounds are also distorted.
Main types of SD include:
  • Adductor spasmodic dysphonia—spasms cause muscles to stiffen and close
  • Abductor spasmodic dysphonia—spasms cause muscles to spastically open
  • Mixed spasmodic dysphonia
Throat
Throat
Spasmodic dysphonia affects the throat muscles.
Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

The exact causes of SD are unknown. It is labeled as a disorder of the central nervous system. The areas of the brain that control these muscle movements are deep within the brain.

Risk Factors

Factors increase your chance of developing SD include:
  • Degenerative brain diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Another movement disorder such as tardive dyskinesia
  • Family history of SD—In some families, a gene on chromosome 9 may be connected to SD.
  • Brain infection such as encephalitis
  • Exposure to toxins or certain medications such as phenothiazines
  • Gender: female
  • Age: between 30-50

Symptoms

Symptoms of SD include:
  • Squeaky, strained speech
  • No speech at all
  • Speech with the wrong pitch and tone
  • Breaks in speech
  • Breathy voice

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.
Images may be taken of your bodily structures. This can be done with:
Your doctor may refer you to a team of specialists, including:
  • Neurologist—to evaluate your brain function
  • Speech pathologist—to evaluate your speech and how it’s produced
  • Otolaryngologist—to evaluate your vocal cords

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Treatment options include the following:
  • Medication—to increase dopamine, a chemical in the brain that influences muscle movement
  • Speech therapy techniques—to relax muscles
  • Brain stimulation—to prevent muscles from freezing and going into spasm
  • Counseling—to help deal with the condition
  • Surgery in severe cases—to cut or remove a nerve that is connected to the vocal cords

Prevention

Since the causes are unknown, it is difficult to prevent SD.

RESOURCES

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association http://www.asha.org

National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association http://www.dysphonia.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Canadian Association of Speech Language Pathologists http://www.caslpa.ca

Ontario Association for Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists http://www.osla.on.ca

References

Daniilidou, P, Carding P, Wilson, J, Drinnan, M, Deary, V. Cognitive behavioral therapy for functional dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology. 2007;116:717-722.

Diagnosis. National Spasmodic Dysphonia Association website. Available at: http://www.dysphonia.org/diagnosis.php . Accessed May 20, 2013.

Dysphonia. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php . Updated January 16, 2013. Accessed May 20, 2013.

Spasmodic dysphonia. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association website. Available at: http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/SpasmodicDysphonia.htm . Accessed May 20, 2013.

Spasmodic dysphonia. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communicative Disorders website. Available at: http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/Pages/spasdysp.aspx . Updated October 2010. Accessed May 20, 2013.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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