The Role of Voice Therapy and Phonosurgery in Transgender Vocal Feminization.

OBJECTIVE: Nonsurgical and surgical options are available for transgender vocal feminization. This systematic review explores the efficacy of feminizing voice therapy and phonosurgery. METHODS: A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Cinahl Plus, Ovid SP, Web of Science, Science Direct, and Google Scholar with terms related to transgender phonosurgery and voice therapy. Included studies were outcomes-based vocal feminization interventions for transgender women. Data were collected on pre- and postintervention fundamental frequency (F0), externally measured vocal femininity, patient satisfaction, and complications. RESULTS: Two hundred twelve studies were identified and 20 met inclusion criteria. Postintervention patient satisfaction was approximately 80% to 85% for voice therapy, endoscopic shortening, and cricothyroid approximation. Complications were reported for each phonosurgery technique, most commonly decreased mean phonation time and loudness. Of the 20 studies, 17 were used for meta-analysis of F0 change. F0 increased by 31 Hz with voice therapy alone, 26 Hz with laser reduction glottoplasty, 39 Hz with cricothyroid approximation, and 72 Hz with endoscopic shortening. CONCLUSION: The literature supports both voice therapy and phonosurgery, depending on a patient's magnitude of desired pitch change and tolerance for cost and potential complications. Most will likely benefit from voice therapy, as it is highly satisfactory, raises vocal pitch, and is noninvasive. However, endoscopic shortening is also highly satisfactory and provides the greatest absolute increase in vocal pitch. If surgery is chosen, postoperative voice therapy may additionally increase F0, stabilize the voice, and create a more female timbre. However, further studies will be necessary to provide definitive clinical recommendations.

The Legal Landscape of Concussion: Implications for Sports Medicine Providers.

CONTEXT: Concussion legislation has been enacted in all 50 of the United States, aiming to prevent mild traumatic brain injuries and the potential long-term sequelae of these injuries in youth athletics. Sports medicine providers, in addressing this major public health concern, are tasked with adhering to the established standards of medical care while also considering the legal implications. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: The PubMed (2011-2016) database was searched using the following search terms: concussion, sports concussion, legislation, and concussion legislation. References from consensus statements, review articles, and book chapters were also utilized. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. RESULTS: The Lystedt law and its progeny have increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of sports concussion, but adherence to state legislation can pose some challenges. CONCLUSION: The presence of concussion legislation places a responsibility on the sports medicine provider to have a firm understanding of the legality of concussion management in the state(s) in which they practice.

Prenatal alcohol exposure: An assessment strategy for the legal context.

Studies over the last two decades have shown that people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) have the kind of brain damage that increases risk of criminal behavior. Thus, it is generally accepted that FASD is likely to affect a sizable minority of individuals involved in the justice system. Most of these defendants have never been diagnosed because they lack the facial abnormalities and severe intellectual deficiency that would have improved identification and diagnosis in childhood. Despite the fact that an FASD diagnosis and associated cognitive deficits may be directly relevant to offense conduct and post-arrest capacities, screening for prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) by legal teams remains relatively rare. This article addresses the relatively straightforward screening process with strategies that may be used singly or in combination to produce information that can establish PAE and provide a foundation for diagnostic assessment by medical and mental health experts.

Youth sports and concussions: preventing preventable brain injuries. One client, one cause, and a new law.

Effective concussion prevention and management for youth athletes requires both education and legislation. Education alone effectively begins the awareness of an issue, but does not change behavior. Education and legislation are required to prevent preventable concussion and brain injuries in youth athletes.

Cicatricial ectropion associated with treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer with cetuximab.

Cetuximab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) of cancer cells expressing EGFR and prevents dimerization and downstream cell signaling pathways. It has been shown to prolong survival in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer. Cutaneous toxicity is relatively common because of the inhibition of EGFR of normal epidermal cells. We present a 49-year-old man with metastatic colon cancer who had development of periocular skin toxicity, madarosis, and cicatricial ectropion after the addition of weekly cetuximab infusions to his baseline chemotherapy. His findings resolved within weeks of the discontinuation of the drug. Cicatricial ectropion is a potential sequela of EGFR inhibition by cetuximab and can resolve without surgical intervention with the discontinuation of this drug.

Iridoschisis and bilateral lens subluxation associated with periocular eczema.

We present a 53-year-old man with bilateral lens subluxation, unilateral iridoschisis, and a long-standing history of periocular eczema. Although a case of unilateral lens subluxation and ipsilateral iridoschisis has been described recently, the pathogenesis of this simultaneous occurrence remains unclear. Our case raises questions about the relationship among these clinical observations and suggests that these findings may exist as part of an unrecognized oculodermal syndrome.