Fiberoptic endoscopic examination of swallowing safety: A new procedure

Spastic dysphonia is a speech disorder, characterized by a "strangled voice quality," irregularly occuring phonatory arrests, and a jerky pattern of speech. This is often extremely disruptive to the patient's ability to communicate. Two cases are presented in which a new technique, videofiberoptic laryngoscopy, was employed in the study of these patients. The characteristic laryngeal behavior of this disorder is documented and recorded, particularly noting the increase in supraglottic activity and how different vocal maneuvers alter this activity.

A new practical flexible fiberoptic nasopharyngolaryngoscope is introduced. This instrument allows for a completeness of examination heretofore not totally possible in all cases as an office or bedside procedure. The ease of examination and patient tolerance make for a superior new clinical tool.