Clinical Case Study: Pediatric Bilateral Benign Vocal Fold Lesions

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Otolaryngology
• Speech-Language Pathology
• Vocal Health

Background:

• Benign vocal fold lesions can affect children's voices.
• Dysphonia in children requires thorough evaluation and tailored intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a clinical case of benign bilateral vocal fold lesions in a 4-year-old boy.
• To describe the comprehensive evaluation and intervention outcomes for pediatric dysphonia.

Main Methods:

• Utilized acoustic, aerodynamic, and auditory-perceptual assessments.
• Performed stroboscopic evaluation, noting age-related limitations.
• Implemented targeted voice therapy interventions.

Main Results:

• Patient presented with moderate dysphonia (breathiness, roughness, strain).
• Acoustic and aerodynamic findings suggested vocal hyperfunction.
• Stroboscopy revealed reduced vocal fold oscillation and hourglass glottic closure.
• Voice therapy led to improvements in acoustic and auditory-perceptual measures.

Conclusions:

• Voice therapy is an effective intervention for benign vocal fold lesions in children.
• Multimodal assessment is crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric dysphonia.
• Early intervention can lead to significant improvements in vocal function.