Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026

A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Published on: February 21, 2011
A comparison of radiation-induced and presbylaryngeal dysphonia
A Behrman1, A L Abramson, D Myssiorek
1Schein Voice and Laryngeal Center, Department of Otolaryngology and Communicative Disorders, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New Hyde Park, New York 11040, USA. abehrman@lij.edu
Objective:
The goal of this study was to assess voice after radiotherapy compared with patients with presbylaryngeal dysphonia.
Study Design And Setting:
Prospective assessment of 20 patients aged 60+ years who remained free of disease longer than 1 year after radiotherapy for T1 squamous cell carcinoma and retrospective review of 46 patients aged 60+ with presbylaryngeal dysphonia, conducted at a tertiary care, academic hospital. Assessment data included videostroboscopy, spectrography, voice range profile, and Voice Handicap Index.
Results:
Eighty percent of the radiotherapy patients reported a voice disorder. Acoustic data and functional measures reflected similar limitations and abnormalities for both groups. A high incidence of glottal gap in all patients may have been associated with increased mucosal stiffness in the radiotherapy group and vocal fold atrophy in the presbylaryngeal group.
Conclusion:
Patient perception and functional outcome of voice were similar for both groups, despite differences in etiology of abnormal vocal fold vibratory behavior.
Significance:
Radiotherapy in older individuals may yield dysphonia that is no greater than that caused by normal aging.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Acute Pharyngitis
Acute pharyngitis is the inflammation of the back of the throat (pharynx), commonly resulting in a sore throat. It is a frequently encountered condition that prompts individuals to seek medical advice.
Classification
Acute pharyngitis can be categorized based on its underlying cause:
Chronic Pharyngitis
Etiology
It often arises from persistent viral or bacterial infections affecting sinuses and tonsils.
Additional contributing factors include inadequate dental hygiene, mouth breathing, recurring tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis, laryngopharyngeal reflux, and exposure to smoke, chemicals, and other environmental pollutants. Allergic reactions to pollen, mold, and pet dander, chronic cough, excessive voice usage,...
Pneumonia II: Pathophysiology

