Predictive factors of frozen section in transoral microlaryngeal surgery for suspicious glottic lesions.

OBJECTIVE: Frozen biopsy may guide surgical intraoperative decisions. We evaluated the accuracy of frozen biopsy for diagnosing benign, dysplastic and malignant laryngeal lesions, compared to paraffin section (gold standard). METHODS: Retrospective review of the charts of all patients presenting with laryngeal lesions suspicious of malignancy, who underwent laryngeal microsurgery with frozen biopsy in our institution, between 2015 and 2020. Results of frozen biopsy and paraffin section examinations were compared. RESULTS: Among 113 samples of 89 patients, paraffin section diagnosed 23 benign, 31 dysplastic and 59 malignant lesions. The accuracy of the frozen biopsy in identifying dysplasia or malignancy was 80.5% (91/113), and greater for lesions >5 mm (78.8% × 51.5%; p = 0.009). The positive and negative predictive values, sensitivity and specificity were 95.9%, 51.3%, 78.9% and 86.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Frozen section is a reliable tool when malignancy is detected, but almost half of benign results exhibit dysplasia or malignancy in paraffin section. Other clinical parameters should be considered in intraoperative decisions to prevent undertreatment.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Short Version of the Reflux Symptom Score: Reflux Symptom Score-12 into Brazilian Portuguese

Abstract Objective: To describe the process of translation into Brazilian Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation of the French Reflux Symptom Score-12 questionnaire used for the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Methods: This was across-cultural translation and adaptation study of a health instrument, with a cross-sectional design. It was carried out in eight stages: translation from French into Brazilian Portuguese, cultural adaptation by a panel of experts, application of the first version (pilot test 1), adaptation by a panel of experts, application of the second version (pilot test 2), back translation, reviewing by a committee in conjunction with the author of the original instrument and, application of the final version. The Brazilian Portuguese versions of the questionnaire were applied to individuals with symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux who underwent pHmetry and esophageal manometry at the study site. Results: In pilot test 1, the first version of the RSS-12 in Brazilian Portuguese was applied to 30 patients. The patients had no difficulty to understand any of the 12 symptom items, but 15 patients (50%) had difficulty interpreting the symptom frequency score. After adapting the format of the frequency score, a version 2 of the RSS-12 in Brazilian Portuguese was applied to another 23 patients, who completed the questionnaire in full without any difficulty. Along with the review committee, the author of the original RSS-12 considered the version 2 to be adequate and did not propose any changes, so it was approved as the final version of the Brazilian Portuguese RSS-12. Conclusion: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument, called Reflux Symptom Score-12 PT-BR, shows good understanding and linguistic, conceptual and content equivalence, in relation to the original Reflux Symptom Score-12.

Effect of Wendler glottoplasty on voice and quality of life of transgender women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Wendler glottoplasty on voice feminization, voice quality and voice-related quality of life. METHODS: Prospective interventional cohort of transgender women submitted to Wendler glottoplasty. Acoustic analysis of the voice included assessment of fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time formant frequencies (F1 and F2), frequency range, jitter and shimmer. Voice quality was blindly assessed through GRBAS scale. Voice-related quality of life was measured using the Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire and the self-perceived femininity of the voice. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients were included. The mean age was 35.4 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up time was 13.7 months. There was a mean increase of 47.9 ±â€¯46.6 Hz (p = 0.023) in sustained/e/F0 and a mean increase of 24.6 ±â€¯27.5 Hz (p = 0.029) in speaking F0 after glottoplasty. There was no statistical significance in the pre- and postoperative comparison of maximum phonation time, formant frequencies, frequency range, jitter, shimmer, and grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain scale. Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire decreased following surgery from 98.3 ±â€¯9.2 to 54.1 ±â€¯25.0 (p = 0.007) and mean self-perceived femininity of the voice increased from 2.8 ±â€¯1.8 to 7.7 ±â€¯2.4 (p = 0.008). One patient (14%) presented a postoperative granuloma and there was 1 (14%) premature suture dehiscence. CONCLUSION: Glottoplasty is safe and effective for feminizing the voice of transgender women. There was an increase in fundamental frequency, without aggravating other acoustic parameters or voice quality. Voice-related quality of life improved after surgery.

Effect of Endoscopic Glottoplasty on Acoustic Measures and Quality of Voice: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The voice is an important marker of the transition process to the new gender identity of the transgender person. For 20% of patients seeking voice feminization, voice therapy is not completely satisfactory, and surgery should be considered, with endoscopic glottoplasty being the current practice. While the increase in fundamental frequency (F0) after glottoplasty has been well described, no systematic review of the literature or meta-analysis regarding other acoustic parameters and quality of voice has been performed yet. OBJECTIVE: To define the effect of endoscopic glottoplasty on acoustic measures and quality of voice by assessing F0, maximum phonation time (MPT), frequency range, and grade of dysphonia. METHODS: A literature review was performed in Medline/PubMed, Cochrane, Science Direct, LILACS, and Google Scholar, following PRISMA guidelines, with no constraints on publication date. We included studies in English, Portuguese or Spanish that assessed transgender women who underwent endoscopic glottoplasty. All the included articles were measured in terms of their methodological quality. RESULTS: The PRISMA approach yielded 14 studies, totaling 566 patients. There was significant heterogeneity between studies regarding follow-up time, surgical technique and perioperative care. Thirteen studies were submitted to meta-analysis. The results showed significant changes in pre- to postglottoplasty mean differences of F0 = 78.49 Hz (95%CI: 75.69-81.30), MPT = -1.11 seconds (95%CI -1.67 to -0.54), frequency range = -3.55 semitones (95%CI -5.74 to -1.36) and grade of dysphonia on the GRBAS scale = 0.44 (95%CI 0.27-0.61). CONCLUSION: Glottoplasty is effective in significantly increasing fundamental frequency, but slightly decreases MPT, frequency range and vocal quality measured by the grade of dysphonia on the GRBAS scale.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Short Version of the Reflux Symptom Score: Reflux Symptom Score-12 into Brazilian Portuguese.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process of translation into Brazilian Portuguese and cross-cultural adaptation of the French Reflux Symptom Score-12 questionnaire used for the diagnosis of laryngopharyngeal reflux. METHODS: This was a cross-cultural translation and adaptation study of a health instrument, with a cross-sectional design. It was carried out in eight stages: translation from French into Brazilian Portuguese, cultural adaptation by a panel of experts, application of the first version (pilot test 1), adaptation by a panel of experts, application of the second version (pilot test 2), back translation, reviewing by a committee in conjunction with the author of the original instrument and, application of the final version. The Brazilian Portuguese versions of the questionnaire were applied to individuals with symptoms and signs of laryngopharyngeal reflux who underwent pHmetry and esophageal manometry at the study site. RESULTS: In pilot test 1, the first version of the RSS-12 in Brazilian Portuguese was applied to 30 patients. The patients had no difficulty to understand any of the 12 symptom items, but 15 patients (50%) had difficulty interpreting the symptom frequency score. After adapting the format of the frequency score, a version 2 of the RSS-12 in Brazilian Portuguese was applied to another 23 patients, who completed the questionnaire in full without any difficulty. Along with the review committee, the author of the original RSS-12 considered the version 2 to be adequate and did not propose any changes, so it was approved as the final version of the Brazilian Portuguese RSS-12. CONCLUSION: The Brazilian Portuguese version of the instrument, called Reflux Symptom Score-12 PT-BR, shows good understanding and linguistic, conceptual and content equivalence, in relation to the original Reflux Symptom Score-12.

Effect of Wendler glottoplasty on voice and quality of life of transgender women

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effect of Wendler glottoplasty on voice feminization, voice quality and voice-related quality of life. Methods: Prospective interventional cohort of transgender women submitted to Wendler glottoplasty. Acoustic analysis of the voice included assessment of fundamental frequency, maximum phonation time formant frequencies (F1 and F2), frequency range, jitter and shimmer. Voice quality was blindly assessed through GRBAS scale. Voice-related quality of life was measured using the Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire and the self-perceived femininity of the voice. Results: A total of 7 patients were included. The mean age was 35.4 years, and the mean postoperative follow-up time was 13.7 months. There was a mean increase of 47.9 ± 46.6 Hz (p = 0.023) in sustained/e/F0 and a mean increase of 24.6 ± 27.5 Hz (p = 0.029) in speaking F0 after glottoplasty. There was no statistical significance in the pre- and postoperative comparison of maximum phonation time, formant frequencies, frequency range, jitter, shimmer, and grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain scale. Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire decreased following surgery from 98.3 ± 9.2 to 54.1 ± 25.0 (p = 0.007) and mean self-perceived femininity of the voice increased from 2.8 ± 1.8 to 7.7 ± 2.4 (p = 0.008). One patient (14%) presented a postoperative granuloma and there was 1 (14%) premature suture dehiscence. Conclusion: Glottoplasty is safe and effective for feminizing the voice of transgender women. There was an increase in fundamental frequency, without aggravating other acoustic parameters or voice quality. Voice-related quality of life improved after surgery.

Disfagia por osteofitose cervical anterior: relato de caso / Dysphagia due to anterior cervical osteophytosis: case report

RESUMO Osteofitose cervical anterior é uma condição não inflamatória caracterizada por calcificação ou ossificação dos ligamentos paravertebrais anterolaterais da coluna cervical. Acomete 20 a 30% dos idosos, sendo responsável por 1,6% das etiologias identificáveis da disfagia na população senil. Em estados avançados, a disfagia por osteofitose cervical pode levar a complicações como desnutrição, perda de peso e pneumonia aspirativa. Este estudo visa alertar para a suspeição desse diagnóstico à equipe multidisciplinar que cuida do idoso disfágico, possibilitando tratamento oportuno e precoce da condição. É relatado o caso de um paciente masculino de 66 anos com disfagia tipo engasgo para sólidos e refluxo nasal de alimentos há 1 ano. Videoendoscopia da deglutição evidenciou abaulamento da parede posterior da faringe e, à oferta de alimento sólido, restrição à retroflexão da epiglote, refluxo nasal do alimento e grande quantidade de resíduo alimentar sobre a lesão. Tomografia computadorizada de coluna cervical identificou a presença de osteófitos cervicais anteriores entre as vértebras C3 e C6, o maior com comprimento anteroposterior de 12 milímetros, estreitando a coluna aérea ao nível da oro- e hipofaringe. O paciente foi adequadamente tratado com fonoterapia da deglutição. A estratégia inicial de tratamento para a osteofitose sintomática deve ser conservadora, geralmente com boa resposta à fonoterapia da deglutição. Apesar de raramente estarem implicados na etiologia da disfagia, considerando sua alta prevalência, é importante que otorrinolaringologistas e fonoaudiólogos estejam atentos a esse diagnóstico, permitindo tratamento precoce e efetivo para o paciente assistido, melhor prognóstico e menos complicações da disfagia orofaríngea no idoso.

ABSTRACT Anterior cervical osteophytosis is a noninflammatory condition characterized by calcification or ossification of the anterolateral paravertebral ligaments of the cervical spine. It affects 20 to 30% of the elderly, being responsible for 1.6% of the identifiable etiologies of dysphagia in the senile population. In advanced states, dysphagia due to cervical osteophytosis can lead to complications such as malnutrition, weight loss and aspiration pneumonia. This study aims to alert to this diagnosis, enabling early treatment of the condition. The case of a 66-year-old male patient with choking dysphagia for solids and nasal food reflux for 1 year is reported. Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing showed bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall and, with solid food supply, restriction to the retroflexion of the epiglottis, nasal reflux of the food and a large amount of food residue on the lesion. Cervical spine Computed Tomography identified the presence of anterior cervical osteophytes between the C3 and C6 vertebrae, the largest with anteroposterior length of 12 millimeters, narrowing the air column at the level of the oro- and hypopharynx. The patient was adequately treated with swallowing therapy by speech-language pathologist. The initial treatment strategy for symptomatic osteophytosis should be conservative, usually with a good response to swallowing therapy. Although they are rarely implicated in the etiology of dysphagia, considering its high prevalence, it is important that otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists are attentive to this diagnosis, allowing early and effective treatment for the assisted patient, better prognosis and fewer complications of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the elderly.

Dysphagia due to anterior cervical osteophytosis: case report. / Disfagia por osteofitose cervical anterior: relato de caso.

Anterior cervical osteophytosis is a noninflammatory condition characterized by calcification or ossification of the anterolateral paravertebral ligaments of the cervical spine. It affects 20 to 30% of the elderly, being responsible for 1.6% of the identifiable etiologies of dysphagia in the senile population. In advanced states, dysphagia due to cervical osteophytosis can lead to complications such as malnutrition, weight loss and aspiration pneumonia. This study aims to alert to this diagnosis, enabling early treatment of the condition. The case of a 66-year-old male patient with choking dysphagia for solids and nasal food reflux for 1 year is reported. Fiberoptic Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing showed bulging of the posterior pharyngeal wall and, with solid food supply, restriction to the retroflexion of the epiglottis, nasal reflux of the food and a large amount of food residue on the lesion. Cervical spine Computed Tomography identified the presence of anterior cervical osteophytes between the C3 and C6 vertebrae, the largest with anteroposterior length of 12 millimeters, narrowing the air column at the level of the oro- and hypopharynx. The patient was adequately treated with swallowing therapy by speech-language pathologist. The initial treatment strategy for symptomatic osteophytosis should be conservative, usually with a good response to swallowing therapy. Although they are rarely implicated in the etiology of dysphagia, considering its high prevalence, it is important that otolaryngologists and speech-language pathologists are attentive to this diagnosis, allowing early and effective treatment for the assisted patient, better prognosis and fewer complications of oropharyngeal dysphagia in the elderly.

Osteofitose cervical anterior é uma condição não inflamatória caracterizada por calcificação ou ossificação dos ligamentos paravertebrais anterolaterais da coluna cervical. Acomete 20 a 30% dos idosos, sendo responsável por 1,6% das etiologias identificáveis da disfagia na população senil. Em estados avançados, a disfagia por osteofitose cervical pode levar a complicações como desnutrição, perda de peso e pneumonia aspirativa. Este estudo visa alertar para a suspeição desse diagnóstico à equipe multidisciplinar que cuida do idoso disfágico, possibilitando tratamento oportuno e precoce da condição. É relatado o caso de um paciente masculino de 66 anos com disfagia tipo engasgo para sólidos e refluxo nasal de alimentos há 1 ano. Videoendoscopia da deglutição evidenciou abaulamento da parede posterior da faringe e, à oferta de alimento sólido, restrição à retroflexão da epiglote, refluxo nasal do alimento e grande quantidade de resíduo alimentar sobre a lesão. Tomografia computadorizada de coluna cervical identificou a presença de osteófitos cervicais anteriores entre as vértebras C3 e C6, o maior com comprimento anteroposterior de 12 milímetros, estreitando a coluna aérea ao nível da oro- e hipofaringe. O paciente foi adequadamente tratado com fonoterapia da deglutição. A estratégia inicial de tratamento para a osteofitose sintomática deve ser conservadora, geralmente com boa resposta à fonoterapia da deglutição. Apesar de raramente estarem implicados na etiologia da disfagia, considerando sua alta prevalência, é importante que otorrinolaringologistas e fonoaudiólogos estejam atentos a esse diagnóstico, permitindo tratamento precoce e efetivo para o paciente assistido, melhor prognóstico e menos complicações da disfagia orofaríngea no idoso.

Surgical interventions for pediatric unilateral vocal fold paralysis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate outcomes of injection laryngoplasty (IL) and laryngeal reinnervation for the treatment of pediatric Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis (UVFP), especially on swallowing and quality of voice. METHODS: A literature review was performed in Medline/PubMed and Cochrane Library, following PRISMA guidelines, with no constraints on publication date. We included studies in English, Portuguese or Spanish about surgical treatment for UVFP on the pediatric population (0-21 years) that documented outcomes for one of the following techniques: IL or laryngeal reinnervation. Study characteristics, patient demographics, technical aspects of each procedure, complications, and outcomes for voice and swallowing were extracted. A meta-analysis with inverse variance, random-effects model was performed. RESULTS: The PRISMA approach yielded 22 studies, totaling 267 patients. Seven reinnervation articles were included in meta-analysis for maximum phonation time (MPT) and quality of voice measured by Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia and Strain (GRBAS) scale. Cardiac surgery had caused UVFP in 62.8% (142/226) of the cases. The main indication for IL was aspiration and for reinnervation was dysphonia. For IL, there was an improvement of 84.5% (confidence interval [CI] 82.6-88.4%) in swallowing and 81.4% (CI 74.6-88.1%) in voice. For reinnervation, there was an improvement of 91.6% (CI 88.2-94.9%) in swallowing and 96.8% (CI 95.5-98.0%) in voice. We found an increase of 6.19 s (CI 1.00 to 11.38) in MPT and a mean difference in GRBAS sum of -3.53 points (CI -6.15 to -0.91) after reinnervation. CONCLUSION: Retrospective cohort studies suggest that injection laryngoplasty and reinnervation are both effective in improving swallowing and voice in children with UVFP. There was clinical evidence of improvement in the MPT and GRBAS scale meta-analysis in patients undergoing reinnervation.

Chondrolaryngoplasty in transgender women: Prospective analysis of voice and aesthetic satisfaction.

Introduction: Chondrolaryngoplasty or "tracheal shaving" is cosmetic surgery to reduce the laryngeal prominence in transgender women. Complications may include damage to the vocal folds and epiglottic destabilization or aesthetic dissatisfaction. Objective: To assess and compare acoustic and perceptual voice outcomes and aesthetic satisfaction of transgender women submitted to chondrolaryngoplasty. Methods: Prospective interventional cohort of transgender women submitted to chondrolaryngoplasty between March 2018 and October 2019. Voice analysis included simple-blind application of the GRBAS Hirano scale by speech therapist and measurement of the fundamental frequency, in the preoperative and 1-month postoperative periods. The visual analog scale was used to analyze the aesthetic satisfaction, before and 6-months after chondrolaryngoplasty. Results: Fifteen patients participated, with a mean age of 31.7 ± 8.3 years (range 22-51 years). The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.3 ± 6.1 months (range 6-25 months). There was a significant improvement in the visual analog scale for aesthetic satisfaction, with a preoperative mean = 0.7 ± 1.0 and a postoperative mean = 9.3 ± 1.1 (95% CI for difference = 7.3 to 9.6; p < 0.001). All patients presented a positive variation. The preoperative mean fundamental frequency was 171.3 ± 41.2 Hz and the postoperative, 177.1 ± 39.5 Hz, with no statistical significance (95% CI for difference = -30.1 to 41.7; p = 0.74). There was no statistically significant difference in the pre- and postoperative comparison of each component of the GRBAS scale. One (7%) patient presented a hyperpigmented scar and 2 (13%) reported hoarseness during the first postoperative week. There were no major complications such as disinsertion of the epiglottis or vocal folds. Conclusion: Chondrolaryngoplasty led to significant aesthetic satisfaction in transgender women. The surgery caused no noticeable vocal change in pitch or perception.