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Last updated: August 13, 2020
Years published: 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2014, 2017, 2020
NORD gratefully acknowledges H. A. Jinnah, MD, PhD, Professor, Departments of Neurology, Human Genetics, & Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, for assistance in the preparation of this report.
Summary
Laryngeal dystonia (LD) is a chronic voice disorder characterized by spasms of the muscles of the voice box (larynx). These muscles control the voice. The spasms can result in tightness in the throat, recurrent hoarseness, and changes in voice quality and/or difficulty speaking. The most frequent sign of this disorder is a sudden, momentary lapse or interruption of the voice. When affected individuals speak, their voice may sound strained, forced, strangled, breathy, or whispery. Speaking becomes less natural, and often requires great effort. In severe cases, an affected individual may be barely able to speak. LD can potentially cause significant quality of life issues for affected individuals impacting both work and social situations. There is no cure for LD, but the disorder can be treated. In most cases, the cause of LD is not known.
Introduction
LD is a form of dystonia, a group of movement disorders that vary in their symptoms, causes, progression, and treatments. This group of conditions is generally characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause abnormal movements and positions (postures). LD is classified as a focal dystonia because it affects a specific part of the body (muscles of the voice box). The most common type of LD is spasmodic dysphonia (SD).
The severity of LD can fluctuate from symptom-free periods with normal voice to severely disabling periods where an affected individual will experience significant difficulty speaking clearly or be barely able to speak. Symptom fluctuation can occur during the same day or from day to day or longer. LD tends to affect normal conversational speech. Several studies have shown that singing, laughing, and yelling, are often unaffected.
The two most common types of LD are adductor SD and abductor SD. Adductor SD, the more common type, affects approximately 80% to 90% of individuals. This type affects the muscles that draw the vocal cords together. Adductor SD is characterized by a tight, strained, or harsh sounding voice. Affected individuals may experience difficulties in the voicing of specific vowels sounds such as in the words โeat,โ โback,โ โI,โ โolives,โ or โnestโ.
Abductor SD affects the muscles that draw the vocal cords apart. Abductor SD is characterized by breathy, whispered speech and loss of voice for short periods of time (aphonia). Individuals affected by the abductor type may have difficulty controlling speech after certain sounds (e.g., โh,โ โs,โ โp,โ โt,โ or โkโ).
Some affected individuals may exhibit both types, referred to as mixed SD. Some individuals also experience a vocal tremor, in which the larynx and vocal cords shake potentially affecting speech and making the voice difficult to understand because it sounds shaky or quivery. Other less common manifestations of LD include laryngeal breathing dystonia, singerโs dystonia, repetitive coughing, and others.
Onset of LD is usually gradual and the initial symptoms may be mild. Symptoms may progress for the first 2-5 years then generally stabilize. Approximately 15% of patients progress into other forms of dystonia involving the face or neck. The disorder usually remains chronic without marked changes over a period of years, although symptoms may worsen with stress. The number and severity of symptoms varies widely among affected individuals.
Most cases of LD are idiopathic, which means a cause is not identifiable. Several different factors may be involved in the development of the disorder (multifactorial). Several theories exist that attempt to explain the underlying mechanisms of LD including abnormal functioning of portions of the brain involved in muscle control, or imbalances in neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that modify, amplify, or transmit nerve impulses from one brain cell (neuron) to another, enabling nerve cells to communicate. Although the underlying mechanisms and causes of LD are not well understood, research is ongoing to determine the specific roles that genetic, environmental, and other factors ultimately play in the development of the disorder.
There are reports in the medical literature that suggest LD may develop following specific factors such as an upper respiratory infection or bronchitis, trauma or surgery, or exposure to certain drugs and/or toxins. However, such theories are controversial because there is no scientific evidence conclusively linking these factors to LD.
Genetic factors are believed to play a role in some cases, especially in individuals who have a relative with LD or another form of dystonia. These individuals may have a genetic susceptibility to developing the disorder. A person who is genetically predisposed to a disorder carries a gene (or genes) for the disease, but the disorder may not be expressed unless it is triggered or activated by other genetic modifiers or environmental factors (complex genetics). More research is necessary to determine what role this or other genes have in the development of LD.
LD occurs more often in females than males and can affect individuals of all ethnic backgrounds. Onset can occur at any age, but usually occurs between 30 and 60 years of age. The exact incidence or prevalence of the disorder is unknown. LD is estimated to affect approximately 50,000 people in North America. However, determining the true frequency of LD in the general population is difficult because many cases are misdiagnosed or go undiagnosed.
The diagnosis of LD usually involves careful assessment of the voice and speaking under different conditions by a speech pathologist, otolaryngologist, or neurologist. It also includes inspection of the voice box (laryngoscopy) to rule out structural abnormalities of the vocal cords such as nodules, polyps, or tumors.
Treatment
There is no cure for LD. Treatment is aimed at the symptoms in each individual. Psychological support and counseling can help individuals cope with depression, anxiety or other psychological issues associated with LD.
Botulinum toxin therapy is often used for LD. The drug works by blocking nerve activity that controls muscles. The result is that muscle activity is not as strong. The drug is injected into the vocal cords every three or four months. Some individuals can wait longer between injections before symptoms return and more injections are needed. The degree of effectiveness of Botulinum toxin will differ in each individual case. Botulinum toxin is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for some types of dystonia, but not LD. However, it is widely used off label to treat all forms of dystonia.
Speech or voice therapy such as voice relaxation techniques may be beneficial for some individuals with LD, especially those with mild cases of the disorder. Speech or voice therapy may also be effective in treating side effects associated with other treatments such as Botulinum toxin (adjuvant therapy). Some individuals may benefit from using machines or devices that amplify the voice.
Oral medications have been used to treat forms of dystonia such as LD. However, there are no oral medications that are FDA approved for such use. Such medications include dopaminergic agents (levodopa), anticholinergic agents (benztropine, trihexyphenidyl), baclofen, and clonazepam. These drugs act in various way to reduce muscle or nerve activity, but are often associated with side effects.
If other therapeutic options are ineffective, contraindicated, or no longer effective after initially providing relief, then surgery may be recommended. Surgery may be aimed at separating the vocal cords or weakening the affected muscles of the larynx. Specific procedures include thyroplasty or selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation.
Decisions concerning the use of particular drug regimens and/or other treatments such as surgery should be made by physicians and other members of the health care team in careful consultation with parents or a patient based upon the specifics of an individual case; a thorough discussion of the potential benefits and risks, including possible side effects and long-term effects; patient preference; and other appropriate factors.
Information on current clinical trials is posted on the Internet at www.clinicaltrials.gov. All studies receiving U.S. Government funding, and some supported by private industry, are posted on this government web site.
For information about clinical trials being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, MD, contact the NIH Patient Recruitment Office:
Tollfree: (800) 411-1222
TTY: (866) 411-1010
Email: [email protected]
Some current clinical trials also are posted on the following page on the NORD website:
https://rarediseases.org/living-with-a-rare-disease/find-clinical-trials/
For information about clinical trials sponsored by private sources, contact:
www.centerwatch.com
For information about clinical trials conducted in Europe, contact:
https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/
TEXTBOOKS
Aronson AE, Bless DM, eds. Clinical Voice Disorders, 4th ed. Thieme Medical Publishers, New York, NY. 2009:101-134.
DeLong MR. Laryngeal Dystonia (Spasmodic Dysphonia). In: NORD Guide to Rare Disorders. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Philadelphia, PA. 2003:613-614.
JOURNAL ARTICLES
Creighton FX, Hapner E, Klein A, Rosen A, Jinnah HA, Johns MM. Diagnostic delays in spasmodic dysphonia: A call for clinician education. J Voice 2015 Sep;29(5):592-4.
Patel AB, Bansberg SF, Adler CH, Lott DG, Crujido LT. The Mayo Clinic Arizona spasmodic dysphonia experience: A demographic analysis of 718 patients. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2015 Nov;124(11):859-63.
Payne S, Tisch S, Cole I, Brake H, Rough J, Darveniza P. The clinical spectrum of laryngeal dystonia includes dystonic cough: Observations of a large series. Movement Disorders 2014 May;29(6):729-35.
Meyer TK, Hu A, Hillel AD. Voice disorders in the workplace: productivity in spasmodic dysphonia and the impact of botulinum toxin. Laryngoscope. 2013;123:S1-14. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23818277/
Childs L, Rickert S, Murry T, Blitzer A, Sulica L. Patient perceptions of factors leading to spasmodic dysphonia: a combined clinical experience of 350 patients. Laryngoscope. 2011;121:2195-2198. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21898448/
Ludlow CL. Spasmodic dysphonia: A laryngeal control disorder specific to speech. Journal of Neuroscience 19 January 2011; 31(3):793-797.
White L, Klein A, Hapner E, et al. Co-prevalence of tremor with spasmodic dysphonia: a case-control study. Laryngoscope 2011;121:1752-1755. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3146022/
Blitzer A. Spasmodic dysphonia and botulinum toxin, Experience form the largest treatment series. Eur J Neurol. 2010 Jul;17 Suppl 1:28-30.
Chhetri DK, Mendelsohn AH, Blumin JH, Berke GS. Long-term follow-up results of selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation surgery for adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngoscope 2006;116:635-642. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16585872/
INTERNET
Pitman MJ, Kamat AR, Bliznikas D, Baredes S. Spasmodic Dysphonia. Medscape. Updated: Apr 29, 2019. Available at: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/864079-overview Accessed August 12, 2020.
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Spasmodic Dysphonia. Last Update March 2020. Available at: https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/Pages/spasdysp.aspx Accessed August 12, 2020.
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