Vocal Nodules Overview

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What is the most common cause of chronic hoarseness in an adult patient with vocal nodules?

Acute laryngitis

Vocal exuberance

Upper respiratory infection

Ongoing behavioral factors (correct)

What is the most sensitive indicator of vocal nodules, even when they are small?

Singing voice quality (correct)

Speaking voice quality

Vocal warm-up duration

Vocal endurance

What is the most common reason why a patient with vocal nodules may have been told their vocal folds were normal during a previous laryngoscopy examination?

The patient had undergone voice therapy

The patient had a nonspecific diagnosis of 'laryngeal irritation'

The nodules were too small to be detected (correct)

The patient was not asked to perform specific vocal tasks

What is the primary difference between vocal nodules and vocal cysts in terms of management?

Cysts require surgical removal, while nodules do not Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common characteristic of the speaking voice in patients with moderate to large vocal nodules?

Breathy and harsh quality Signup and view all the answers

What is the most likely reason why singers with chronic vocal nodules are often relatively unaware of speaking-voice limitations?

Their speaking voice is not affected by the nodules Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why vocal nodules do not occur unilaterally?

Vocal abuse affects both vocal folds equally Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why the correlation between the size of vocal nodules and their effect on vocal capabilities is variable?

The individual's mucosal response to the vocal abuse Signup and view all the answers

What is the most common symptom of vocal nodules that is present even when the nodules are very small?

Difficulty singing high notes softly Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason why patients with subtle or small vocal nodule swellings may have been given a nonspecific diagnosis such as 'laryngeal irritation'?

The nodules were not visible during laryngoscopy Signup and view all the answers

Which term is reserved for lesions of proven chronicity?

Nodules Signup and view all the answers

Which type of persons are almost always vocal overdoers?

Boys and women Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct term for the posterior third of the glottic aperture?

Arytenoid cartilages Signup and view all the answers

Where does the greatest shearing and collisional forces occur during vocal fold vibration?

Midportion of the membranous (vibratory) portion Signup and view all the answers

What is the cause of fluid accumulation in the submucosa of the vocal folds?

Acute abuse or overuse Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the swelling that results from fluid accumulation in the submucosa?

Incipient or early nodules Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of speech (voice) therapy in the management of vocal nodules?

To help the nodules and their more obvious symptoms regress, particularly if the patient is not a singer Signup and view all the answers

What is the main reason why surgical removal of vocal nodules becomes an option?

When nodules of any size persist and when the voice remains unacceptably impaired from the patient's perspective after an adequate trial of therapy Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended duration of voice rest after surgical removal of vocal nodules?

The patient is asked not to speak for 4 days, and then gradually progresses over 4 weeks to full voice use under a speech pathologist's supervision Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended technique for surgical removal of vocal nodules?

Microexcision techniques Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for examining the larynx at high frequency (500 to 1000 Hz)?

To visualize subtle to small swellings, which can be poorly appreciated at lower frequencies Signup and view all the answers

What is the main goal of the early return to nonstressful voice use after surgical removal of vocal nodules?

To promote dynamic healing Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of voice therapy in optimizing a patient's surgical candidacy for vocal fold surgery?

To educate the patient about the surgical process Signup and view all the answers

During evaluation, what kind of information does a speech pathologist gather to establish a program for eliminating injurious behavior affecting the voice?

Information on behavior that may adversely affect the voice Signup and view all the answers

What is one task that voice-qualified speech pathologists perform during evaluation to understand the type and degree of impairment resulting from vocal fold lesions?

Assessment of vocal tract posture Signup and view all the answers

In managing vocal fold disorders, what aspects of voice production may the speech pathologist help the patient optimize?

Intensity, average pitch, and resonance characteristics Signup and view all the answers

For singers with vocal fold disorders, what role does the singing teacher typically play in the evaluation process?

Help with singing voice production Signup and view all the answers

What is one purpose of educating patients about the surgical process before vocal fold surgery?

To optimize the patient’s surgical candidacy Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of using acoustic analysis, spirometry, and other vocal tract measures in voice clinics?

To assess respiratory adequacy and vocal fold vibratory characteristics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of using biofeedback in voice therapy?

Using a visual frequency readout to modify average pitch for speech Signup and view all the answers

In the management of vocal fold disorders, what is the primary consideration for recommending surgery?

Failure to improve after two or more successive examinations Signup and view all the answers

What are the key factors that contribute to good surgical results for vocal fold disorders?

Surgical precision, diagnostic accuracy, and patient compliance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about vocal fold polyps is true?

They are benign lesions that typically occur bilaterally on the vocal folds Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of voice therapy in the management of vocal fold disorders?

To improve vocal hygiene and reduce vocal abuse Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of voice therapy in cases of postoperative stiffness, scarring, and tissue loss after vocal fold surgery?

To use a voice-building approach and gradually expand the available frequency range Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the facilitating vowel /oo/ is correct in the management of severe dysphonia?

It is helpful in cases of severe dysphonia due to postoperative scarring Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for using laryngeal videostroboscopy in patients with possible postoperative dysphonia?

To assess the overall vocal fold vibratory pattern and identify areas of asymmetry Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding the management of vocal fold disorders is correct?

General medical issues related to the voice should be optimized during management Signup and view all the answers

In the context of voice therapy for postoperative vocal fold disorders, what is the purpose of asking the patient to coax the voice lower and higher from a small area of working frequencies?

To gradually expand the available frequency range and improve vocal flexibility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding vocal nodules is correct?

Vocal nodules are lesions of proven chronicity, resulting from repeated vocal fold trauma Signup and view all the answers