Keywords

Sulcus Vocalis; Voice.

Introduction

Sulcus vocalis is characterized as scar type lesion or longitudinal fissure/groove on the medial surface of free edge of the vocal folds [1]. Luchsinger & Arnold assumed that the sulcus vocalis to be caused by migration of the vocal fold epithelium in to the normally convex lamina propria, causing a cleft in the vocal fold which alters the way of vocal folds osscilation causing voice changes. Etiologies of sulcus vocalis are not completely clarified. Although some authors suspect it is due to laryngeal infections, degeneration of benign lesions, chronic vocal abuse, micro vascular lesions or secondary to surgery or vocal trauma. It also can be congenital which is due to defect in development of the 4th and 6th brachial arches [2]. Ford proposed a classification for sulcus vocalis as Type-I (superficial type), Type-IIa (deep type) and Type-IIb (pouch type) based on the extent of tissues involved [3]. Varieties of micro surgical techniques such as resection, reconstruction etc. are employed to cure [4-6]. The sulcus vocalis is challenging voice disorder both in diagnosing and treating. In most of the clinic, differentiation for type of sulcus vocalis and voice therapy is not much preferred which can be helpful in helpful and effective treatment tool.

Case Studies

Two adult cases diagnosed as type-I sulcus vocalis of physiological origin according to Ford’s classification by an otolaryngologist through stroboscopic examination were studied. Both cases reported with complaints of hoarse and weak voice with reduced variation of vocal pitch and loudness without family history of such a voice related disorder. Symptomatically patients were primarily treated for gastric reflux disorder followed by vocal hygiene program and resonant voice therapy techniques to improve the vocal efficiency and timbre of the voice. Both cases received resonant voice therapy and vocal function exercise, 1 session per week for 8 weeks. GRBAS scale and Dr. Speech instruments were used to evaluate voice perceptually and objectively respectively before and after treatment in both cases.

Case 1

41 years female reported with chief complaints of change in voice since 2-3 years with soon fatigues of voice and inability to maintain sufficient variation of pitch and loudness during conversation. Patient was a non-professional voice user with vocal abusive behavior and had chronic laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) disorder. GRBAS scale and objective assessment before and after voice therapy are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively. Comparison revealed reduction in severity of dysphonia and improvement in overall vocal efficiency after therapy. The phonation duration (MPD) also improved from 6 seconds to approximately 11 seconds.

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Table 1:

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Table 1. Comparisons of GRBAS Scale Pre and Post Voice Therapy.

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Table 2:

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Table 2: Comparisons of Pre and Post Voice Therapy Objectively.

Case 2

38 years old male who had dysphonia since approximately 3 years with chief complaints of change in voice, unable to converse for longer time and decreased loudness and LPR as associated problem. Subject was a professional voice user. Subject was a primary school teacher with vocal abusive behavior. There was an improvement in overall voice quality observed after voice therapy. The MPD after voice therapy improved from 7 seconds to 15 seconds. The perceptual and objective assessment prior to voice therapy and post voice therapy are shown in Table 1 and Table 2 respectively of case 2.

Discussion

Voice therapy techniques are useful and safe adjuvant treatment rather than surgery. Pathophysiological voice changes in sulcus vocalis produce a glottal gap and diminished or absent mucosal wave during phonation. This decreased pliability restricts the Bernoulli and myoelastic effects, whereby transglottic airflow medializes the leading edge of the vocal fold and it result in a higher fundamental frequency with significantly reduced harmonics and harsh voice quality. The maintenance of vocal hygiene program and treatment for LPR helped in removal of vocal hyper-function and abusive behaviors as well as vocal changes due to LPR [7].

Vocal function exercises and Lessac-Madsen Resonant Voice Therapy (LMRVT) techniques were introduced after to reduce and establish the laryngeal muscle effort for phonation and normal vocal function respectively. The resonant voice therapy and vocal function exercises appears to produce the clearest and most prominent voice with little effort and decreased risk of injury [8, 9]. However vocal function exercises strengthen and balance the laryngeal musculature and create a balance among airflow, the laryngeal muscular effort and the tone placement [10].

Conclusion

Prior to consider surgical treatment approaches the differentiation of type of sulcus vocalis and voice therapy should be recommended.