Institution: | *Division of Head and Neck Surgery, UCSD School of Medicine, San Diego, California, U.S.A ?VA Medical Center, San Diego, California, U.S.A ?Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-Nasen-und Ohrenkranke, Klinikum Grosshadern, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, München, Germany 1Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UCSD School of Medicine, San Diego, California, U.S.A. |
Abstract: | Assessment of function in patients with spasmodic dysphonia is necessary to confirm diagnosis, plan therapy, predict response, and assess effectiveness of treatment. This task is difficult because symptom severity fluctuates, the test environment is artificial, and the objective parameters used to measure vocal function may not adequately reflect the handicap experienced by the patient. Available methods for assessing these patients are reviewed and the utility of each considered, particularly in managing patients with botulinum toxin therapy. Assessment should include a battery of tests, including subjective perceptual ratings and direct physical measurements. |