Sulcus vocalis in monozygotic twins

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Genetics
• Speech Science

Background:

• Sulcus vocalis is a groove on the vocal fold surface, potentially causing dysphonia.
• Current understanding of its etiology is unclear, with congenital origin being controversial.
• Treatment can be complex, depending on sulcus severity.

Observation:

• This study examined monozygotic twin sisters diagnosed with bilateral sulcus vocalis.
• Both twins presented with similar vocal fold morphologies.
• Comparative analysis revealed comparable vibratory characteristics and vocal quality measurements.

Findings:

• The monozygotic twins exhibited highly similar sulcus vocalis presentations.
• Vocal fold morphology, vibration patterns, and voice quality metrics were consistent between the sisters.
• These concordant findings strongly support a congenital etiology for sulcus vocalis.

Implications:

• The results provide compelling evidence for a genetic component in the development of sulcus vocalis.
• This supports the theory of a congenital origin, challenging previous controversies.
• Understanding the etiology can inform future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for dysphonia.