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Pediatric vocal nodules: correlation with perceptual voice analysis.
Rahul K Shah1, Geralyn Harvey Woodnorth, Amy Glynn
1Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Disorders, Children's Hospital Boston, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
Summary
Pediatric vocal nodules are common in boys aged 3-10 and correlate with laryngeal hyperfunction. Severity of hoarseness and other voice issues increases with nodule size.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Vocal Health Research
Background:
- Vocal nodules are benign growths on the vocal folds, often affecting children.
- Understanding their epidemiology and associated factors is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiology of vocal nodules in pediatric patients.
- To analyze the correlation between vocal nodule characteristics and perceptual voice analysis findings.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 646 pediatric patients from a tertiary care voice center (1996-2003).
- Videostroboscopic examinations and perceptual voice assessments by speech pathologists were conducted.
- Treatment decisions were based on identified pathologies.
Main Results:
- Vocal nodules were identified in 254 patients (40%), with a mean age of 7.7 years; 72% were male.
- Nodules were most prevalent in males aged 3-10 years.
- Laryngeal hyperfunction was present in 75% of cases and correlated with nodule size; gastro-esophageal reflux disease was found in 25% without significant correlation.
Conclusions:
- Laryngeal hyperfunction is a significant factor associated with vocal nodule size in children.
- The severity of perceived hoarseness, breathiness, straining, and aphonia correlates with vocal nodule size.
- Gastro-esophageal reflux disease does not appear to correlate with vocal nodule presence or size in this pediatric cohort.