[Examination of patients with normal and abnormal voice by pneumotachography (author's transl)]

22 patients with normal vocal function and 33 with voice disorders were examined by pneumotachography. The degree of air-flow speed during phonation, the volume of air during phonation, and the duration of phonation were studied in 17 dysphonic patients with complete closure of the glottis, 16 patients with incomplete glottic closure, and 19 euphonic (control) patients. The following results were obtained: 1. The parameters of the study are dependent upon the intensity of phonation. 2. The values of the normal group and the dysphonic patients with complete closure of the glottis during phonation are approximately the same. 3. The values of dysphonic patients with incomplete closure of the glottis are significantly different from the other two groups. According to the results obtained, pneumotachography appears to be a useful method in the evaluation of laryngeal function. Its advantage consists of determining measurable values which are particularly important for followup examinations during treatment. However, the procedure should be used only as part of the complete phoniatric examination.