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Medical Interventions for Spasmodic Dysphonia & Some Related Conditions: A Systematic Review Technical Report 2 Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences Writing Committee Joseph Duffy Kathryn Yorkston David Beukelman Lee Ann Golper Robert Miller Kristie Spencer Edythe Strand Marsha Sullivan Correspondence Address: Kathryn M. Yorkston, Ph.D. Rehabilitation Medicine Box 356490 University of Washington Seattle, WA 98195-6490 Phone: (206) 543-3134 Email: [email protected]

Transcript of Medical Interventions for Spasmodic Dysphonia & Some ... · existence of voice disorders with...

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Medical Interventions for Spasmodic Dysphonia & Some Related Conditions:

A Systematic Review

Technical Report 2

Academy of Neurologic Communication Disorders and Sciences

Writing CommitteeJoseph DuffyKathryn YorkstonDavid BeukelmanLee Ann GolperRobert MillerKristie SpencerEdythe StrandMarsha Sullivan

Correspondence Address:

Kathryn M. Yorkston, Ph.D.Rehabilitation MedicineBox 356490University of WashingtonSeattle, WA 98195-6490Phone: (206) 543-3134Email: [email protected]

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Medical Interventions for Spasmodic Dysphonia & Some Related Conditions

......................................................................................................................................................BACKGROUND 4

......................................................................................................................RATIONALE FOR THE REVIEW 4

..............................................................................................................................THE LITERATURE SEARCH 5

..................................................................RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE (RLN) SECTION FOR SD 6

INTERVENTION STUDIES........................................................................................................................................ 6............................................................................................................................................................Subjects 8

................................................................................................................................................Types of Studies 9..........................................................................................................................................Outcome Measures 9

....................................................................................................................Levels and Quality of Evidence 10CONCLUSIONS: RLN SECTION............................................................................................................................. 11

......................................................................................................................................Treatment Outcomes 11....................................................................................................................................................Side Effects 12

..............................................BOTULINUM TOXIN (BT) INJECTION FOR SPASMODIC DYSPHONIA 12

INTERVENTION STUDIES...................................................................................................................................... 12..........................................................................................................................................................Subjects 12

..............................................................................................................................................Types of Studies 14........................................................................................................................................Outcome Measures 15

.....................................................................................................................Levels and Quality of Evidence 16CONCLUSIONS: BT INTERVENTION...................................................................................................................... 16

........................................................................................................................BT Injection for Adductor SD 16....................................................................................................................................................Side Effects 17

........................................................................................................................BT Injection for Abductor SD 17.................................................................................................................................Treatment Comparisons 17..................................................................................................................................Accumulating Evidence 17

.............................................................................................MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL TREATMENTS 18

SD – MISCELLANEOUS SURGICAL TREATMENTS................................................................................................. 18....................................................................................................................................Laryneal Nerve Crush 18

.............................................................................................................Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Avulsion 18...........................................................................Selective Laryngeal Adductor Denervation-Reinnervation 18

......................................................................................................................Laryngeal Framework Surgery 19SD – OTHER MEDICAL TREATMENTS.................................................................................................................. 19

............................................................................................................................................RLN Stimulation 19........................................................................................................................Pharmacologic Management 19

....................................................................................................................................................Biofeedback 19............................................................................................................................Chiropractic Manipulation 19

OTHER MOVEMENT DISORDERS: MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL TREATMENTS...................................................... 20..................................................................................................................BT for Dystonias Other Than SD 20

..............................................................................Pharmacologic Management of Essential Voice Tremor 20.....................................................................................................Deep Brain Stimulation for Voice Tremor 20

................................................................GENERAL CONCLUSION AND FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS 20

A GENERAL CONCLUSION ABOUT MANAGEMENT FOR SD AND RELATED SPEECH CONDITIONS........................ 21FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS.................................................................................................................................. 21

.................................................................................................................................Treatment Comparisons 21.................................................................................................................Better Description of SD Patients 21

..............................................................................................................................Better Outcome Measures 22..................................................................Effect of Speech Treatment in Conjunction with BT Intervention 22

....................................................................Understanding the Underlying Mechanism of BT Intervention 22...............................................................................................................................Other Applications of BT 23

......................................................................................................................Alternatives to BT Intervention 23

SD Guidelines Summary

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......................................................................................................................................................REFERENCES 23

GENERAL REFERENCES ....................................................................................................................................... 23RLN SECTION REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 24BOTOX TREATMENT REFERENCES....................................................................................................................... 26MISCELLANEOUS REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 32REFERENCES NOT REVIEWED.............................................................................................................................. 34

SD Guidelines Summary

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Medical Interventions for Spasmodic Dysphonia & Some Related Conditions

BACKGROUND

This systematic review summarizes the results of one segment of the Practice Guidelines for Dysarthria that are being developed through the ANCDS and co-sponsored and funded in part by ASHA, through the office of the VP of Clinical Practices in Speech-Language Pathology, and from the Steering Committee of Division 2. Additionally, co-sponsorship and funding support were received from the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA). The review addresses surgical, pharmacologic, and medical approaches to managing voice/laryngeal abnormalities associated with dysarthrias due to movement disorders (e.g., dystonia, tremor), disorders that fall under the broad heading of hyperkinetic dysarthrias. Behavioral management for respiratory/phonatory dysfunction in dysarthria is not addressed here, but this topic will be reviewed in a future module. Other topics related to laryngeal dysfunction, such as medical treatments for neurologic voice disorders secondary to laryngeal weakness or paralysis also will be reviewed in future modules

The primary focus of this effort was to review the literature on the management of spasmodic dysphonia (SD); some information about management of voice tremor and movement disorders affecting non-laryngeal speech structures (e.g., lingual dystonia) was also compiled. Much of the evidence reviewed focused on recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) section and the use of botulinum toxin (BT) injections for the management of SD. This documentation was reviewed by members of writing committee along with a panel of experts. These experts (N = 30) were volunteer members of ANCDS or Speech-Language Pathologists who had published in the area of management of SD. Most of the panel of experts (73%) hold doctoral degrees and has substantial clinical experience (mean duration of practice: 19.4 years).

RATIONALE FOR THE REVIEW

The following section will discuss factors that motivated this review. Because most of the evidence summarized here focuses on SD, a brief explanation of the disorder may help to establish its relationship to the dysarthrias and its relevance to practice guidelines.

The cause of SD is unknown. Just a few decades ago most clinicans believed it was the result of psychological disturbances, such as conversion disorder or musculoskeletal tension driven by psychological stress. However, most clinicians and researchers today have concluded that the disorder most often reflects an underlying involuntary neurologic movement disorder such as dystonia or essential voice tremor. Although some clinicians continue to recognize a psychogenic form of SD (Aronson, 1990), most place such psychogenic voice problems into categories separate from SD (e.g., conversion dysphonia/aphonia, musculoskeletal tension dysphonia). It is not the intent of this report to address these nosologic issues, but the reader should know that the treatments reviewed here have been directed, in the great majority of studies, at voice and speech disorders assumed to be

SD Guidelines Summary

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neurological as opposed to psychological in origin. It is also important to recognize that the existence of voice disorders with clinical perceptual features that resemble those of neurologic SD makes the distinction between neurologic SD and non-neurologic voice disorders essential to management decision making. Although uncommon, SD is estimated to affect 30,000-50,000 people in North America. More women than men are affected. Onset is most often in the 5th – 6th decade. The adductor variety of the disorder (in which voice is typically continuously or intermittently strained, sometimes to the point of voice stoppages) is far more common (about 90% of cases) than the abductor variety (in which the voice is typically intermittently breathy or aphonic). Some individuals appear to have a combination of adductor and abductor forms. The disorder often results in occupational, social, and emotional problems, with disruption of socioeconomic success and quality of life. Although SD may be accompanied by evidence of dystonia or tremor elsewhere in the body (e.g., torticollis, focal cranial dystonias), in a substantial number of people the abnormal movements are largely confined to the larynx, and are apparent only during speech (i.e., a focal, action-induced movement disorder). Thus, unlike management for many types of dysarthria, efforts to manage SD focus predominantly on only one speech subsystem. Although this review does not address behavioral management, the literature on medical management has been driven at least partly by a conclusion that behavioral intervention, alone, for SD (at least its neurologic forms) is ineffective or suboptimal.

This review was considered important because the frequent misdiagnosis of SD, its interdisciplinary demands for diagnosis and management, its apparent historic resistance to behavioral voice therapy, and the relatively recent development of accepted medical interventions for it make it particularly important for speech-language pathologists to have up-to-date knowledge about the efficacy and effectiveness of medical interventions for the disorder. This information should assist speech-language pathologists in their counseling and management decision making for patients with SD and related hyperkinetic speech disturbances.

This writing committee recognizes that this report might not be comparable in its method of evaluation or criteria for drawing conclusions about treatment effects to those that might be developed by our colleagues in neurology or otorhinolaryngology. We suspect, however, that any differences that might emerge among disciplines will not be great, and hope that any differences will promote further study that benefits the individuals we all strive to serve.

THE LITERATURE SEARCH

Because this review focused on medical interventions, the MEDLINE database - covering articles from 1966 through December 2000 - was the primary search vehicle. The initial search used the key words “spasmodic dysphonia” and “spastic dysphonia” to identify appropriate citations. The search was limited to human studies reported in English. The search yielded approximately 250 citations. The titles were then reviewed and those that suggested any focus on management were identified. This yielded 133 citations whose

SD Guidelines Summary

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abstracts (when available) were reviewed. Letters to the editor, articles that only non-critically summarized other work, articles whose abstracts clearly indicated they did not address management, and articles focused on management of problems that clearly were not neurologic in origin were then excluded.

An additional MEDLINE search using key words “essential voice tremor,” “voice tremor,” and “organic voice tremor” yielded an additional four relevant articles that were not redundant with those identified during the search on SD.

The PsycINFO database was then reviewed in a similar manner. Only one additional relevant article was identified. A small number of additional articles were identified through reviews of texts and other publications, and from comments from expert reviewers.

Eight relevant or possibly relevant articles could not be obtained for review. Their abstracts, titles, or publication dates suggest that their inclusion would not substantively alter the conclusions derived from the reviewed evidence. These citations are provided in the reference section so readers can judge the likely impact of their omission.

The available articles were divided into three categories. Each article (never just the abstract) was then reviewed by two individuals (JD & KY) using guidelines for evaluating evidence established by the Writing Committee (Yorkston et al., in press-a, in press-b). The categories include:

1) SD - RLN section = 24 references 2) SD - BT treatment = 63 references3) Miscellaneous Medical Treatments = 25 references

Three Evidence Tables are summarized in subsections that follow. The first two – RLN section and BT treatments for SD – are each reviewed in some detail because the amount of evidence regarding them is substantial, and because they are fairly well defined treatments. The third table of evidence – miscellaneous medical treatments for SD and related conditions – is quite heterogeneous in the treatments covered and not as amenable to concise summary.

RECURRENT LARYNGEAL NERVE (RLN) SECTION FOR SD

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve (RLN) section was first reported as a treatment for adductor SD in 1976. Following this procedure, the paralyzed vocal fold assumes a paramedian position so that the remaining vocal fold cannot closely approximate it.

Intervention Studies

A number of articles describing the results of RLN section have appeared, with most published in the 1970s and 1980s (Table 1 and Evidence Table 1). This publication

SD Guidelines Summary

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chronology generally coincides with the initial popularity of RLN section, and then its decreased use as consensus emerged that the more recently developed BT injection was the preferred medical treatment for SD in many cases.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Table 1. Publication dates of RLN treatment articles.

Time Frame # of Intervention Articles< 1976 0

1976 – 1979 51980 – 1989 171990-1999 2

2000 0Total 24

Subjects

The total number of subjects with SD reported in the 24 identified articles is 1,324. This figure is artificially inflated misleading because several authors/institutions have published two or more studies containing progressively cumulative data. If only the largest N study by authors from given institutions is counted, the lowest estimate of the total number of different subjects studied is about 395. Nonetheless, this number is substantial in comparison to treatment studies of dysarthria that have used behavioral interventions.

The percentage of studies reporting specific subject descriptors is summarized in Table 2. It should be noted that not all subject characteristics are equally important or necessarily relevant to SD or its treatment with RLN section. For example, diadochokinesis, sensation, SES/education, and hearing/vision would not generally be considered essential information.

Table 2. Percentage of studies reporting specific subject descriptors.

Subject Characteristics % Of Studies ReportingMedical Diagnosis 88Type of dysarthria 88Age 68Gender 68Speech characteristics 60Treatment history 52Severity of dysarthria 52Disease severity 52Time post onset 48Medications 32Acoustic data 24Neurologic examination data 20

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Physiologic data 16SES or education 8Cognition/language 0Hearing or vision 0Sensation 0Diadokokinesis 0

Types of Studies

The type of study varied (Table 3), and a number of group studies also included case descriptions. Eleven articles represented group studies, only 2 of which included a comparison group (normal controls). Seventeen studies represented case/case series; five of them were presented as part of a group study. Only one study used a single subject design.

Table 3. Type of study. Numbers and percentages sum to > 24 and >100%, respectively, because some studies fell into more than one category.

Case/Case Series 17 (71%)Single Subject 1 (4%)Group (total) 11 (44%) Group (comparison study) 2 (8%)Total # of relevant articles 24

The treatment described was considered replicable in 68% of the studies (Table 4). It should be noted that this percentage reflects the adequacy of the description of the RLN section procedure. In a substantial percentage of studies, the method for measuring the effect of the treatment was not considered replicable. The reasons for this are reflected in ratings of psychometric adequacy, evidence of control, or the rater’s comments in the Table of Evidence.

Table 4. Replicability of treatment (a few studies fell into more than one category).

Replicable 17 (68%)General information 6 (24%)Incomplete 1 (4%)

Outcome Measures

Across the studies reviewed, outcome measures focused on impairment, activity limitation, and participation restriction. A substantial majority of studies focused on measures that were

SD Guidelines Summary

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used to determine impairment. Measures of impairment most often included: perceptual ratings and general clinical descriptions; patient and clinician ratings; acoustic analyses; visualization of the larynx; electroglottography, electromyography; and aerodynamic measures. Measures of activity limitation were less frequently employed than measures of impairment. They most often included patient self-ratings, clinician ratings, and general descriptions; ratings most often focused on general improvement or reduced severity, ability to communicate, ease of communication, reduction of preoperative limitations, and changes in positive and negative traits. Measures of participation restriction were infrequently reported (~9% of the studies). They tended to rely on general descriptions and patient testimonial comments.

There was considerable variability across studies relative to psychometric adequacy and evidence for control. Many studies were adequate in one of those characteristics, but only a minority was adequate in both. Many of the studies did explicitly address risks and complications.

Levels and Quality of Evidence

Data-based treatment studies were categorized according to levels and quality of evidence. Quality of evidence ratings used criteria employed by the American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee for developing practice parameters (1999) in which studies are rated as Class I (prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial with masked outcome assessment, in a representative population), Class II (prospective, matched group cohort study in a representative population with masked outcome assessment that meets Class I criteria, or a randomized controlled trial that lack one criteria for Class I), Class III (all other controlled trials, including well-defined natural history controls, in a representative population, where outcome assessment is independent of patient treatment), or Class IV (evidence from uncontrolled studies, case series, case reports, or expert opinion). Studies were also categorized for Levels of Evidence (Beukelman, 2001), in which they were rated as Authoritative (expert opinion from professionals, consumers, secondary consumers), Experimental (randomized controlled studies, studies with controls, single subject studies), or Observational (case studies, series of case studies, qualitative studies, structured behavioral observations).

Table 5 summarizes these ratings for RLN studies. There have been no Class I or II studies of this treatment. AAN guidelines indicate that one convincing Class I study and two consistent Class II studies justify a conclusion that a treatment is “established as effective.” At least one convincing Class II study or at least three consistent Class III studies justify a conclusion that a treatment is “probably effective.” At least two convincing and consistent Class III studies are required for a treatment to be considered “possibly effective.” Class IV studies, even if consistent, require a conclusion that a treatment is unproven. According to these criteria, the data suggest that RLN section for SD should be considered possibly effective or unproven, especially when inconsistencies within and among studies are considered (inconsistencies

SD Guidelines Summary

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represented in long term effectiveness data). The levels of evidence data (Beukelman criteria) (Beukelman, 2001) indicate that most (86%) of the studies were observational.

Table 5. Summary of levels and quality of evidence for studies of RLN section for SD. (22/24 articles were data-based).

AAN Criteria # of Studies Beukelman Levels # of Studies Class I 0

Experimental 3 Class II 0

Observational 18 Class III 4

Authoratative 1 Class IV 18

Conclusions: RLN Section

Treatment Outcomes

The following conclusions about RLN Section as a treatment for SD appear to be justified by the weight of the evidence reviewed:

• RLN Section as a treatment for adductor SD results in a substantial degree of improvement for a substantial percentage of patients, but in spite of permanent vocal cord paralysis in most cases, its long-term effectiveness appears to be limited. In general, the short-term effectiveness of RLN section is reflected across measures showing less impairment, less activity limitation, and less participation restriction, and the improvement resulting from the treatment is generally evident to patients as well as their treating physicians and speech-language pathologists. However, recurrence of SD signs and symptoms is common (ranging across studies from a minority to a substantial majority of cases within 3 years), with higher recurrence rates in women than in men. Laser thinning of the paralyzed vocal cord, as a secondary management procedure, when recurrence occurs, appears effective for some patients. It also should be noted that refinements or variations of nerve section procedures for SD have been developed in recent years, and that they may prove to be more effective than traditional RLN section. These treatments are discussed in the section of this report that addresses miscellaneous medical treatments (recurrent laryngeal nerve avulsion, selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation).

• RLN Section (or refinements of it, such as RLN avulsion or selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinervation) for adductor SD may be appropriate for some individuals who

SD Guidelines Summary

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fail to respond or receive less than desired benefits from BT injection, or who prefer to pursue the possibility of a longer lasting or “permanent” treatment for their adductor SD.

Side Effects

Regarding side effects, RLN is intended to produce vocal cord paralysis, and that paralysis is usually permanent. Common adverse effects include weak-breathy-hoarse voice quality and dysphagia, both of which are usually temporary. Respiratory distress occurs occasionally. Other adverse effects are uncommon. As already noted, recurrence of symptoms of SD is frequent.

BOTULINUM TOXIN (BT) INJECTION FOR SPASMODIC DYSPHONIA

Botulinum toxin (BT) is a protease that blocks the release of acetylcholine from the nerve terminals. BT gained full FDA approval for treatment of strabismus, blepharospasm, and VIIth cranial nerve disorders in 1980. First reports of “off-label” use in individuals with SD appeared in the later 1980s. For an excellent review of clinical uses of BT, see Blitzer & Sulica (2001).

Intervention Studies

Numerous articles describing BT treatment for SD have appeared during the past 15 years. BT is a relatively new treatment for SD and the vast majority of articles have been published during the past decade (Table 6 and Evidence Table 2).

Table 6. Publication dates of BT treatment articles.

Time Frame # of Intervention Articles< 1980 0

1980 – 1989 51990 – 1999 50

2000 8Total 63

Subjects

The total number of subjects with SD reported in the 63 identified articles is 4,272. This figure is artificially inflated, however, because several authors/institutions have published two or more studies containing progressively cumulative data. If only the largest N of the studies by authors from given institutions is counted, the lowest estimate of the total number of different subjects studied is probably between 1,425 and 1,525. Nonetheless, this number is substantial, especially in comparison to treatment studies of dysarthria that have used behavioral interventions.

SD Guidelines Summary

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The percentage of studies reporting specific subject descriptors is summarized in Table 7. It should be noted that not all subject characteristics are equally important or necessarily relevant to SD or its treatment with BT injection. For example, diadochokinesis, sensation, SES/education, and hearing/vision would not generally be considered essential information.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Table 7. Percentage of studies reporting specific subject descriptors.

Subject Characteristics % Of Studies ReportingType of dysarthria 100Medical Diagnosis 97Medications 86Age 89Gender 89Speech characteristics 71Treatment history 62Time post onset 59Severity of dysarthria 52Disease severity 48Acoustic data 41Physiologic data 40Neurologic examination data 37SES or education 3Sensation 2Cognition/language 0Hearing or vision 3Diadokokinesis 0

Types of Studies

The type of study varied (Table 8), and a number of group studies also included case descriptions. Fifty-three articles represented group studies, 19 of which included a comparison group. Group comparison studies included one with a double-blind, randomized, placebo control design. Others varied considerably in the nature of comparisons made; for example, comparison of SD speakers to normal speakers, comparison of unilateral to bilateral injections, comparison of percutaneous to transoral injections, comparison of results as a function of dose and site of injection, and comparison of effects of BT to BT plus voice therapy. Most of the studies were retrospective studies of clinic populations. Twenty-one studies represented case/case series; 13 of them were presented as part of a group study. Only three studies used a single subject design.

Table 8. Type of study. Numbers and percentages sum to > 63 and > 100%, respectively, because some studies fell into more than one category.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Case/Case Series 22 (35%) Single Subject 3(5%)Group (total) 53 (84%) Group (comparison study) 19 ( 30%)Total # of relevant articles 63

The treatment described was considered replicable in 83% of the studies (Table 9). It should be noted, however, that this impressive percentage primarily focused on the description of the BT injection procedure. In a substantial number of studies, the method for measuring the effect of the treatment was not considered replicable. The reasons for this are reflected in ratings of psychometric adequacy, evidence of control, or the rater’s comments in the Table of Evidence.

Table 9. Replicability of treatment. Percentages sum to > 100% because some studies fell into more than one category.

Replicable 52 (83%)General information 16 (25%)Incomplete 5 (8%)

Outcome Measures

Across the studies reviewed, outcome measures focused on impairment, activity limitation, and participation restriction. A substantial majority of studies focused on measures that were used to determine impairment. These measures of impairment most often included: acoustic analyses; patient and clinician ratings; visualization of the larynx (including videolaryngoscopy and videostroboscopy); electroglottography, electromyography, and aerodynamic measures; auditory perceptual measures. Measures of activity were less frequently employed than measures of impairment. They most often included patient self-ratings and clinician (speech pathologist or physician) ratings; the ratings most often focused on general improvement, ability to communicate, duration of benefit, presence and duration of side effects, and general satisfaction. Measures of participation were not frequently reported (~25% of the studies). They tended to focus on testimonial comments, responses to handicap scales, or description of patients’ social and work limitations prior to treatment and changes thereafter.

There was considerable variability across studies relative to psychometric adequacy and evidence for control, but a number of studies were adequate in one or both of those characteristics. Many of the studies explicitly addressed risks and complications. Study results and conclusions did not appear to differ as a function of the degree to which they met standards for psychometric adequacy and control.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Levels and Quality of Evidence

Data-based treatment studies were categorized according to levels and quality of evidence. Table 10 summarizes these ratings. The levels of evidence data (Beukelman criteria) indicate that about 45% of the evidence is experimental, with the remaining data being observational. There have been one Class I study and four Class II studies. AAN guidelines indicate that one convincing Class I study and two consistent Class II studies justify a conclusion that a treatment is “established as effective.” At least one convincing Class II study or at least three consistent Class III studies justify a conclusion that a treatment is “probably effective.” Each of the Class I and II studies concluded that botox injection was effective, although the number of Ss in each study were relatively small and the specific treatments (in terms of injection site, dose, etc.) varied. It is important to note that every study reviewed reported beneficial effects of the injection for a significant proportion of patients. Thus, these data suggest that BT injection for SD is effective or probably effective according to the AAN criteria.

Table 10. Summary of levels and quality of evidence. Only 58/63 articles were data-based.

AAN Criteria # of Studies Beukelman Levels # of Studies Class I 1

Experimental 25 Class II 4

Observational 33 Class III 17

Authoratative 0 Class IV 36

Conclusions: BT Intervention

The following conclusions about BT injection treatment for SD appear to be justified by the weight of the evidence reviewed:

BT Injection for Adductor SD

BT injection as a treatment for adductor SD results in a substantial degree of improvement for a substantial percentage of patients, with benefits generally lasting for three to four months. To date, it appears that injections may be repeated indefinitely in most cases. In general, the positive effects of this treatment are reflected across measures showing less impairment, less activity limitation and less participation restriction. The resulting improvement is generally evident to patients as well as their treating physicians and speech-language pathologists. BT

SD Guidelines Summary

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injection can also be an effective treatment for people who have had RLN section to treat adductor SD, with subsequent return of signs and symptoms of the disorder.

Side Effects

There are no known serious side effects of BT treatment for SD. Adverse effects include weak-breathy voice and mild dysphagia that may last for a few days to 2-3 weeks in a substantial percentage of patients. It appears that these side effects can be minimized by adjusting the dose and injection site (e.g., unilateral versus bilateral injection). Other side effects, such as pain at the site of injection or respiratory difficulty, are uncommon.

BT Injection for Abductor SD

In comparison to studies of BT injection for adductor SD, studies of BT injection for abductor SD are fewer in number, the number of subjects reported is considerably smaller, and the level and quality of evidence are less adequate. Although the one study that has employed blinded auditory-perceptual and fiberscopic ratings failed to demonstrate significant change post BT treatment (Bielamowicz et al 2001), the remaining studies have consistently reported beneficial outcomes for a majority of patients on the basis of unblinded clinician judgment or patient report (a majority of patients in the Bielamowicz et al., (2001) study also reported benefits). It thus appears reasonable to conclude that BT injection for abductor SD probably provides subjective patient-perceived benefit for a majority of cases but, in comparison to adductor SD, its effectiveness is less pronounced and occurs in a smaller percentage of patients. Further study of the effectiveness of BT injection for abductor SD, and development of alternative treatments, are clearly necessary.

Treatment Comparisons

BT injections for SD vary in terms of dose amount, site (e.g., unilateral versus bilateral), and technique (e.g., percutaneous versus transoral). These differences appear to reflect physician preference and various patient needs and responses. To date, it appears that there is no ideal dose amount that is equally effective for all patients, and that dose probably needs to be established on a case-by-case basis. Unilateral versus bilateral injection and transoral versus percutaneous approaches each have advantages and disadvantages, and there does not appear to be strong evidence or consensus that any injection site or method of injection is clearly superior.

Accumulating Evidence

The conclusions drawn here receive some support from a report by the American Academy of Neurology Therapeutics and Technology Assessment subcommittee in 1990 that concluded that “local injections of Botox into the vocalis muscle is accepted as a safe and efficacious modality for the treatment of symptoms of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Botox therapy is a

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promising therapy for the treatment of abductor SD.” (American Academy of Neurology Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee, 1990) It should be noted that that report was made at a time when only 98 cases receiving BT injection for abductor SD had been reported. The subsequent evidence reviewed in this report appears to strengthen that committee’s conclusion.

MISCELLANEOUS MEDICAL TREATMENTS

The 25 articles reviewed under this heading were quite heterogeneous. Evidence Table 3 summarizes these studies in chronological order. Some represent treatments that seem to have been abandoned because of lack of effectiveness. Some represent alternatives when BT injection is ineffective, unacceptable to patients, or cannot be used. Others represent treatments that can be considered experimental and, perhaps, promising.

SD – Miscellaneous Surgical Treatments

The following is a brief description of several surgeries that have been used for the treatment of SD.

Laryneal Nerve Crush

Laryngeal nerve crush for SD has been investigated in a small number of studies as an alternative to RLN Section. The procedure results in initial paralysis of a vocal cord, but vocal cord function eventually returns because of RLN motor fiber regeneration. Although initial results were successful, follow up suggests a very high regression rate. The developers of the procedure (Biller, Som, & Lawson, 1983) concluded that laryngeal nerve crush should not be a recommended treatment for SD; at that time, the authors recommended RLN Section as the preferred treatment for SD.

Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Avulsion

Recurrent laryngeal nerve avulsion (RLNA) is a relatively new procedure that involves removing the distal nerve up to its insertion into the laryngeal muscle thus limiting the neural regrowth. The effect of RLNA on voice for patients with adductor SD has been investigated in two studies. Complete RLNA should prevent regeneration of nerve more effectively than just sectioning the nerve, as in RLN resection. The authors of the most recent report (Weed et al., 1996) suggest that RLNA may be appropriate for those who do not benefit from or tolerate BT injection. Although it is possible this approach will be more lastingly effective than RLN Section, further study is necessary.

Selective Laryngeal Adductor Denervation-Reinnervation

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This is a new surgical procedure for adductor SD that involves bilateral denervation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve with reinnervation of the distal stumps with branches of the ansa cervicalis nerve. It has been developed for patients with severe adductor SD seeking an alternative to Botox injection, and as a procedure likely to have a lower SD recurrence rate than RLN Section. Berke et al. (1999), in a group/case series study, have reported promising results. Replication by others and longer-term follow up are needed.

Laryngeal Framework Surgery

Laryngeal framework surgery, a technique that permits adjustment of the position and tension in the vocal folds, has been used in a small number of subjects with adductor or abductor SD. The results of the two published reports (Isshiki et al., 2000; Tucker et al., 1989), on a limited number of subjects, with limited follow up (less than two years), suggests that laryngeal framework surgery has potential for managing SD in some patients. Data are insufficient, however, to permit a conclusion that laryngeal framework surgery should be routinely recommended for managing SD.

SD – Other Medical Treatments

RLN Stimulation

Vagus nerve or RLN stimulation (a variation on the use of vagus nerve stimulators to control epilepsy) has been used for a small number of patients with SD. Although percutaneous and implanted stimulators have produced voice improvement in a small number of patients, the last report of its use was in 1994. It seems reasonable at this time to conclude that vagus or RLN stimulation has not been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for SD.

Pharmacologic Management

There are infrequent reports of attempts to treat SD with medications that may be effective for controlling tremor or dystonia elsewhere in the body. The limited data do not support predictable effectiveness of any single drug for managing SD.

Biofeedback

A single study has investigated the treatment of SD with EMG biofeedback (Henschen and Burton, 1978). The treatment was unsuccessful.

Chiropractic Manipulation

Chiropractic manipulation has been reported as successful in managing SD in a single patient (Wood, 1991). Subsequent studies have not been published. Thus, data are insufficient to support chiropractic manipulation as an effective management for SD.

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Other Movement Disorders: Miscellaneous Medical Treatments

The articles reviewed under this heading represent heterogenous treatments for a variety of different conditions. A few of these articles also include treatments for SD so they are reviewed both in this and other sections. Some of the treatments are relevant to managing movement disorders that affect laryngeal function, whereas others address movement disorders that affect other levels of the speech system.

BT for Dystonias Other Than SD

BT injection has been used to treat jaw, lingual and other orofacial dystonias. The American Academy of Neurology Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Committee in 1990 reported that 82 published studies have used BT injection for oromandibular dystonia. They concluded that jaw-closing dystonia results in about 70% improvement, and that up to 50% of patients with jaw opening and lateralization dystonia, and lingual dystonia, benefit from BT injection, although dysphagia is a very common side effect for the latter two problems. A few subsequent studies have documented the effectiveness of BT injection in managing tongue protrusion dystonia and dysarthria associated with focal dystonia of orofacial or mandibular muscles. Thus, although further study is clearly necessary, BT injection seems to have potential as an effective treatment for lingual protrusion dystonia and orofacial and mandibular dystonias that affect speech.

Pharmacologic Management of Essential Voice Tremor

A small number of studies have addressed pharmacologic management (e.g., primidone, propranolol, methazolamide, clonazepam) of essential voice tremor or SD associated with essential voice tremor. In general, results suggest that pharmacologic management of SD and other hyperkinetic dysarthrias is not generally effective, although individual patients occasionally derive benefit. At this time, pharmacologic management cannot be considered a primary treatment for most individuals with hyperkinetic dysarthria.

Deep Brain Stimulation for Voice Tremor

One study (Taha, Janszen, & Favre, 1999). has reported the effect of bilateral thalamic deep brain stimulation (DBS) on voice tremor. Seven patients who had the surgery explicitly to manage their voice tremor were studied. Voice tremor was reportedly reduced by the DBS. Without considerable further study, however, DBS cannot be considered a primary treatment for voice tremor.

GENERAL CONCLUSION AND FUTURE RESEARCH NEEDS

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A General Conclusion About Management for SD and Related Speech Conditions

The National Institutes of Health Consensus Development Conference on Clinical Use of Botulinum Toxin recommended that management be undertaken by “committed interdisciplinary teams” (American Academy of Neurology Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee, 1990). The review undertaken for this report makes it very clear that the medical management of SD and related hyperkinetic speech disturbances, regardless of the specific treatment (e.g., botox injection, surgery), very often involves contributions from otolaryngologists, neurologists, and speech-language pathologists, and that, in general, the quality of published evidence is generally greatest when there has been collaboration among those subspecialties (and others, in some cases). Speech-language pathologists play several important roles in this context. These include (1) a crucial contribution to differential diagnosis, such as distinguishing SD from other dysarthrias, psychogenic or nonorganic dysphonia, and laryngeal muscular tension dysphonia, (2) perceptual and instrumental assessment of various aspects of speech and voice that are critical to measurement of baseline status, outcome, and subsequent modifications of treatment, and (3) patient counseling in all cases and voice treatment in selected cases. Based on the authorship characteristics in a substantial percentage of the published treatment literature for SD and related speech and voice disturbances that have been reviewed here, it appears that the interests of affected people are best served through collaboration among medical subspecialists and medical speech pathologists.

Future Research Needs

The following is a discussion of future research needs pertinent to intervention for SD and related disorders.

Treatment Comparisons

A variety of BT injections varying in terms of dose, site, and technique have been proposed. Most of these treatment comparisons utilized non-randomized, retrospective studies of clinical populations. If an accurate comparison between injection methods is a research goal, prospective randomized studies are needed.

Better Description of SD Patients

Individuals with SD form a somewhat heterogeneous group, yet frequently the only information about the participants in intervention studies is the fact that they have been diagnosed with SD. A standard set of criteria for the clinical diagnosis of SD would be of significant value for clinicians and researchers alike. More information about participants would allow the development of candidacy profiles. Such information would include the severity of SD (or severity of spasm), whether the dystonia is observed in multiple sites or restricted to the laryngeal area, familial history, presence of tremor, presence of pre-existing

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reflux or swallowing problems, history of previous interventions and so on. Methods of better differential diagnosis of SD from other disorders including motor neuron disease or essential tremor are also needed because BT intervention may be inappropriate or ineffective for other disorders.

Better Outcome Measures

This review indicates that there are many possible outcome measures, including patient self-ratings and perceptual, aerodynamic, acoustic, and stroboscopic measures of vocal function. Attempts at development of standard evaluation protocols for symptoms and severity of SD have begun (Stewart et al., 1997) and should continue. If a parsimonious set of outcome measures is to be developed, relationships among the various measures should be explored. Of particular interest is the identification of those measures that are strongly related to vocal quality. In addition, examination of the relationship among the variety of outcome measures and the severity of the disorder is needed. Finally, outcome measures reflecting the subjects’ perception of vocal effort or speech fatigue are needed. Most of the measures used to reflect treatment outcome focus on the level of the impairment. A better understanding of psychosocial factors is warranted. These include studies of the effects of intervention on employment, social participation, and quality of life. The focus on psychosocial issues is particularly critical because voice quality impairment may not correlate well with measures of limitations in activity and participation (Ma & Yiu, 2001).

Effect of Speech Treatment in Conjunction with BT Intervention

This review did not examine data regarding the effectiveness of behavioral intervention (speech/voice therapy) for SD and related hyperkinetic speech disturbances, although the literature search that was conducted suggests that such data are very limited and mostly observational or testimonial. The literature on medical interventions for SD is very consistent in indicating that voice therapy alone is not an effective intervention for SD. However, the question remains whether speech intervention in conjunction with BT intervention would be beneficial in extending the period between injections or allowing a lower injection dose (see Murry and Woodson (1995) for relevant data). Closely associated with speech intervention is the issue of compensation. How is the speaker compensating for the presence of SD? How does this compensation change as a result of the sudden reduction in spasm associated with BT intervention? What is the role of the respiratory system in these compensations? These are questions that, if answered, would further define the nature of SD as well as the role of behavioral intervention by speech-language pathologists in its management.

Understanding the Underlying Mechanism of BT Intervention

Understanding more thoroughly the mechanism underlying the functional effects of BT would allow for the development of more appropriate types and timing of intervention. If the effects

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are not limited to the neuromuscular junction, what central mechanism is involved? What are the physiologic bases for speech improvement?

Long Term Effects

The long terms effectiveness of BT for SD needs to be established. For example, how frequently do patients develop antibodies to BT and stop responding to injections? Do changes in injected muscles occur over time which alter the effectiveness of injection? These studies will become important as there is now a cohort of patients who have had BT treatment for more than a decade.

Other Applications of BT

BT intervention has been studied extensively in SD (especially the adductor type). More studies of BT in abductor SD are warranted, particularly with a focus on candidacy issues. Studies of other applications of BT intervention are also warranted including those for palatal myoclonus, voice tremor, swallowing difficulty as a result of cricopharyngeal spasm, and uncontrolled drooling (salivary duct injections).

Alternatives to BT Intervention

Further study of the effectiveness of alternatives to BT treatments are warranted. These alternatives include various surgical procedures designed to circumvent the drawbacks of RLN section and provide more lasting results than BT treatment.

REFERENCESGeneral References

Aronson, A. E. (1990). Clinical voice disorders (3rd edition). Thieme Inc: New York.

American Academy of Neurology Therapeutics and Technology Assessment Subcommittee. (1990). Assessment: The clinical usefulness of botulinum toxin-A in treating neurologic disorders. Neurology, 40, 1332-1336.

Miller, R. & Edlund, W. (1999). Process for developing practice parameters. American Academy of Neurology Quality Standards Subcommittee.

Beukelman, D. State of the science report - 2001. Rehabilitation Research Center in Communication Enhancement. Duke University.

Blitzer, A., & Sulica, L. (2001). Botulinum toxin: Basic science and clinical uses in otolaryngology. Laryngoscope, 111(2), 218-226.

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Ma, E. P., & Yiu, E. M. (2001). Voice activity and participation profile: Assessing the impact of voice disorders on daily activities. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 44(3), 511-524.

Stewart, C., Allen, E. L., Tureen, P., Diamond, B. E., Blitzer, A., & Brin, M. F. (1997). Adductor spasmodic dysphonia: Standard evaluation of symptoms and severity. Journal of Voice, 11(1), 95-103.

Yorkston, K. M., Spencer, K. A., Duffy, J. R., Beukelman, D. R., Golper, L. A., Miller, R. M., Strand, E. A., & Sullivan, M. (in press-a). Evidence-based medicine and practice guidelines: Application to the field of Speech-Language Pathology. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology.

Yorkston, K. M., Spencer, K. A., Duffy, J. R., Beukelman, D. R., Golper, L. A., Miller, R. M., Strand, E. A., & Sullivan, M. (in press-b). Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Dysarthria: Management of Velopharyngeal Function. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology.

RLN Section references

Aronson, A., & De Santo, L. (1981). Adductor spastic dysphonia: 1 1/2 years aftre recurrent laryngeal nerve resection. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 90, 2-6.

Aronson, A., & De Santo, L. (1983). Adductor spastic dysphonia: three years after recurrent laryngeal nerve resection. Laryngoscope, 93, 1-8.

Barton, R. (1979). Treatment of spastic dysphonia by recurrent laryngeal nerve section. Laryngoscope, 89, 244-249.

Carpenter, R., Henley-Cohn, J., & Snyder, G. (1979). Spastic dysphonia: treatment by selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Laryngoscope, 89, 2000-2003.

Carpenter, R., Snyder, G., & Henley-Cohn, J. (1981). Selective section of the recurrent laryngeal nerve for the treatment of spastic dysphonia: an experimental study and preliminary clinical report. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 89, 986-991.

Dedo, H. (1976). Recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and laryngology, 85, 451-459.

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Dedo, H., & Behlau, M. (1991). Recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia: 5- to 14-year preliminary results in the first 300 patients. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 100, 274-279.

Dedo, H., & Izdebski, K. (1983a). Intermediate results of 306 recurrent laryngeal nerve sections for spastic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 93, 9-16.

Dedo, H., & Izdebski, K. (1983b). Problems with surgical (RLN Section) treatment of spastic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 93, 268-271.

Dedo, H., & Izdebski, K. (1984). Evaluation and treatment of recurrent spasticity after recurrent laryngeal nerve section. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 93, 343-345.

Fritzell, B., Hammarberg, B., Schiratzki, H., Haglund, S., Knutsson, E., Martensson, A. (1993). Long-term results of recurrent laryngeal nerve resection for adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 7, 172-178.

Izdebski, K., & Dedo, H. (1981). Selecting the side of recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia. Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, 89, 423-426.

Izdebski, K., Dedo, H., & Boles, L. (1984). Spastic dysphonia: a patient profile of 200 cases. American Journal of Otolaryngology, 5, 7-14.

Izdebski, K., Dedo, H., Shipp, T., & Flower, R. (1981). Postoperative and follow-up studies of spastic dysphonia patients treated by recurrent laryngeal nerve section. Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, 89, 96-101.

Izdebski, K., Shipp, T., & Dedo, H. (1979). Predicting postoperative voice characteristics of spastic dysphonia patients. Otolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, 87, 428-434.

Levine, H., Wood, B., Rusnov, M., Batza, E., & Tucker, H. (1979). Recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 88, 527-530.

Ludlow, C., Naunton, R., & Bassich, C. (1984). Procedures for the selection of spastic dysphonia patients for recurrent laryngeal nerve section. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 92, 24-31.

Salassa, J., DeSanto, L., & Aronson, A. (1982). Respiratory distress after recurrent laryngeal nerve sectioning for adductor spastic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 92, 240-245.

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Sapir, S., & Aronson, A. (1985). Clinician reliability in rating voice improvement after laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 95, 200-202.

Sapir, S., Aronson, A., & Thomas, J. (1986). Judgment of voice improvement after recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia: clinicians versus patients. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 95, 137-141.

Schiratzki, H., & Fritzell, B. (1988). Treatment of spasmodic dysphonia by means of resection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve. ACTA Otolaryngologica, 449-454, 115-117.

Smith, R., & Andrews, M. (1983). Spastic dysphonia: a perceptual test of recurrent laryngeal nerve section. Journal of Communication Disorders, 16, 19-30.

White, J., & Knight, R. (1981). Recurrent laryngeal nerve section in the treatment of spastic dysphonia. Southern Medical Journal, 74, 1053-1055.

Wilson, F., Oldring, D., & Mueller, K. (1980). Recurrent laryngeal nerve dissection: a case report involving return of spastic dysphonia after initial surgery. Journal of Speech and Hearing Disorders, 45, 112-118.

Botox Treatment References

Adams, S. G., Durkin, L. C., Irish, J. C., Wong, D. L. H., & Hunt, E. J. (1996). Effects of Botulinum Toxin Type A Injections on Aerodynamic Measures of Spasmodic Dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 106, 296-300.

Adams, S. G., Hunt, E. J., Charles, D. A., & Lang, A. E. (1993). Unilateral versus bilateral botulinum toxin injections in spasmodic dysphonia: Acoustic and perceptual results. Journal of Otolaryngology, 22, 171-175.

Adams, S. G., Hunt, E. J., Irish, J. C., Charles, D. A., Lang, A. E., Durkin, L. C., & Wong, D. L. (1995). Comparison of botulinum toxin injection procedures in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Otolaryngology, 24, 345-351.

Aronson, A., McCaffrey, T., Litchy, W., & Lipton, R. (1993). Botulinum toxin injection for adductor spastic dysphonia: patient self-ratings of voice and phonatory effort after three successive injections. Laryngoscope, 103, 683-692.

Bielamowicz, S., Bidus, K., Squire, S., & Ludlow, C. L. (2001). Assessment of posterior cricoarytenoid botulinum toxin injections in patients with abductor spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 110, 406-412.

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Bielamowicz, S., & Ludlow, C. L. (2000). Effects of botulinum toxin on pathophysiology in spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 109, 194-203. Blitzer, A., Brin, M., & Stewart, C. (1998). Botulinum toxin management of spasmodic dysphonia (laryngeal dystonia): a 12-year experience in more than 900 patients. Laryngoscope, 108(10), 1435-1441.

Blitzer, A., Brin, M., Stewart, C., Aviv, J., & Fahn, S. (1992). Abductor laryngeal dystonia: A series treated with botulinum toxin. Laryngoscope, 102, 163-167.

Blitzer, A., & Brin, M. F. (1991). Laryngeal dystonia: A series of botulinum toxin therapy. Annals of Otology, Rhinology and Laryngology, 100, 85-89.

Brin, M., Blitzer, A., Fahn, S., Gould, W., & Lovelace, R. (1989). Adductor Laryngeal Dystonia (Spastic Dystonia): Treatment with local injections of botulinum toxin (Botox). Movement Disorders, 4(287-296).

Brin, M., Blitzer, A., & Stewart, C. (1998). Laryngeal dystonia (spasmodic dysphonia): observations of 901 patients and treatment with botulinum toxin. Advances in Neurology, 78, 237-252.

Brin, M. F., Fahn, S., Moskowitz, C., Friedman, A., Shale, H. M., Greene, P. E., Blitzer, A., List, T., Lange, D., Lovelace, R. E., & McMahon, D. (1987). Localized injections of boulinum toxin for the treatment of focal dystonia and hemifacial spasm. Movement Disorders, 2, 237-254.

Cannito, M. P., Woodson, G., & Murry, T. (1999). Perceptual scaling of spasmodic dysphonia before and after BOTOX injection. Communication and its disorders: A science in progress. Proceedings of the 24th Congress of International Phoniatrics and LOgopedics Association, Vol. 1. Neimegen, the Netherlands: Neimegen University Press, 161-163.

Courey, M., Garrett, C., Billante, C., Stone, R., Portell, M., Smith, T., & Netterville, J. (2000). Outcomes assessment following treatment of spasmodic dysphonia with botulinum toxin. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 109, 819-822.

Crevier-Buchman, L., Laccourreye, O., Papon, J. F., Nurit, D., & Brasnu, D. (1997). Adductor spasmodic dysphonia: case reports with acoustic analysis following botulinum toxin injection and acupuncture. Journal of Voice, 11, 232-237.

Davidson, B., & Ludlow, C. (1996). Long-term effects of botulinum toxin injections in spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 105(1), 33-42.

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Epstein, R., Stygall, J., & Newman, S. (1997). The short-term impact of botox injections on speech disability in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Disability and Rehabilitation, 19, 20-25.

Finnegan, E., Luschei, E., Gordon, J., Barkmeier, J., & Hoffman, H. (1999). Increased stability of airflow following botulinum toxin injection. Laryngoscope, 109, 1300-1306.

Fisher, K., Giddens, C., & Gray, S. (1998). Does botulinum toxin alter laryngeal secretions and mucociliary transport? Journal of Voice, 12, 389-410.

Fisher, K., Scheer, R., Swank, P., Giddens, C., & Patten, D. (1999). Electroglottographic tracking of phonatory response to Botox. Journal of Voice, 13, 203-218.

Fisher, K., Schere, R., & Owen, A. (1996). Longitudinal phonatory characteristics after botulinum toxin Type A injection. Journal of Speech and Hearing Research, 39, 968-980.

Ford, C., Bless, D., & Lowery, J. (1990). Indirect laryngoscopic approach for injection of botulinum toxin in spasmodic dysphonia. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 103, 752-758.

Garcia Ruiz, P., Espanol, C., Sanchez Bernardos, V., Astarloa, R., Sanabria, J., & Garcia de Yebenes, J. (1998). Botulinum toxin treatment for spasmodic dysphonia: percutaneous versus transoral approach. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 21( 3), 196-198.

Gibbs, S., & Blitzer, A. (2000). Botulinum toxin for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Otolaryngologic Clinics-Voice Disorders and Phonosurgery I, 33(4), 879-894.

Giladi, N., Meer, J., Kidan, C., Greenberg, E., Gross, B., Honigman, S. (1994). Interventional Neurology: Botulinum Toxin as a potent symptomatic treatment In neurology. Israel Journal of Medical Sciences, 30, 816-819.

Green, D., Ward, P., Berke, G., Gerratt, B. (1992). Point-touch techniques of botulinum toxin injection for the treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 101, 883-887.

Hertegard, S., Granqvist, S., & Lindestad, P. (2000). Botulinum toxin injections for essential voice tremor. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 109, 204-209.

Inagi, K., Ford, C., Bless, D., & Heisey, D. (1996). Analysis of factors affecting Botulinum toxin results in spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 10, 306-313.

Jankovic, J., Orman, J. (1987). Botulinum A toxin for cranial-cervical dystonia: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Neurology, 37, 616-623.

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Jankovic, J., Schwartz, K., & Donovan, D. (1990). Botulinum toxin treatment of cranial-cervical dystonia, spasmodic dysphonia, other focal dystonia and hemifacial spasm. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, & Psychiatry, 53, 633-639.

Kobayashi, T., Niimi, S., Kumada, M., Kosaki, H., & Hirose, H. (1993). Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Spasmodic Dysphonia. Acta Otolaryngologica, 504, 155-157.

Koriwchak, M., Netterville, J., Snowden, T., Courey, M., & Ossof, R. (1996). Alternating unilateral botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injections for spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 106, 1476-1481.

Langeveld, T., Drost, H., & Baatenburg De Jong, R. (1998). Unilateral versus bilateral botulinum toxin injections in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 107, 280-284.

Lees, A., Turjanski, N., Rivest, J., Whurr, R., Lorch, M., & Brookes, G. (1992). Treatment of cervical dystonia hand spasms and laryngeal dystonia with botulinum toxin. Journal of Neurology, 239(1-4).

Liu, T. C., Irish, J. C., Adams, S. G., Durkin, L. C., & Hunt, E. J. (1996). Prospective study of patients' subjective response to botulinum toxin injection for spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Otolaryngology, 25, 66-74.

Ludlow, C. (1990). Treatment of speech and voice disorders with botulinum toxin. JAMA, 264(20), 2671-2675.

Ludlow, C., Naunton, R., Fujita, M., & Sedory, S. (1990). Spasmodic dysphonia: botulinum toxin injection after recurrent nerve surgery. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 102, 122-131.

Ludlow, C. L., Naunton, R. F., Sedory, S. E., Schulz, G. M., & Hallett, M. (1988). Effects of botulinum toxin injections on speech in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Neurology, 38, 1220-1225.

Ludlow, C. L., Naunton, R. F., Terada, S., & Anderson, B. J. (1991). Successful treatment of selected cases of abductor spasmodic dysphonia using botulinum toxin injection. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 104, 849-855.

Lundy, D., Lu, F., Casiano, R., & Xue, J. (1998). The effect of patient factors on response outcomes to botox treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 12, 460-466.

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Maleca, R., Hogikyan, N., & Bastian, R. (1997). A comparison of methods of botulinum toxin injection for abductory spasmodic dysphonia. Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 117, 487-492.

Maloney, A., & Morrison, M. (1994). A comparison of the efficacy of unilateral versus bilateral botulinum toxin injections in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Otolaryngology, 23, 160-164.

Miller, R., Woodson, G., & Jankovic, J. (1987). Botulinum toxin injection of the vocal fold for spasmodic dysphonia. Archives of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, 113, 603-605.

Murry, T., Cannito, M., & Woodson, G. (1994). Spasmodic dysphonia: Emotional status and botulinum toxin treatment. Archives of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 120, 310-316.

Murry, T., & Woodson, G. (1995). Combined-modality treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia with Botulinum toxin and voice therapy. Journal of Voice, 9, 460-465.

Rhew, K., Fiedler, D., & Ludlow, C. (1994). Technique for injection of botulinum toxin through the flexible nasolaryngoscope. Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, 111, 787-794.

Rontal, M., Rontal, E., Rolnic, M., Merson, R., Silverman, B., & Truong, D. (1991). A method for the treatment of abductor spasmodic dysphonia with Botulinum toxin injections: A preliminary report. Laryngoscope, 101, 911-914.

Schonweiler, R., Wohfarth, R., Dengler, R., & Ptok, M. (1998). Supraglottal injection of botulinum toxin Type A in adductor type spasmodic dysphonia with both intrinsic and extrinsic hyperfunction. Laryngoscope, 108, 55-63.

Sedory Holzer, S., & Ludlow, C. (1996). The swallowing side effects of botulinum toxin Type A injection in spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 106, 86-92.

Smith, A., Johnson, M., McGillem, C., & Goffman, L. (2000). On the assessment of stability and patterning of speech movements. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 43(1), 277-286.

Tewary, A. (1996). Correlation between clinical response and injection quality in treatment of spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Laryngology and Otology, 110, 551-553.

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Truong, D., Rontal, M., Rolnick, M., Aronson, A., & Mistura, K. (1991). Double-blind controlled study of Botulinum toxin in adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Laryngoscope, 101, 630-634.

Warrick, P., Dromey, C., Irish, J., & Durkin, L. (2000). The treatment of eesential voice tremor with botulinum toxin A: a longitudinal case report. Journal of Voice, 3, 410-421.

Warrick, P., Dromey, C., Irish, J., Durkin, L., Pakiam, A., & Lang, A. Botulinum toxin for essential tremor of the voice with multiple anatomical sites of tremor: A crossover design study of unilateral versus bilateral injection. Laryngoscope, 110, 1366-1374.

Whurr, R., Lorch, M., Fontana, H., Brookes, G., Lees, A., & Marsden, C. (1993). The use of botulinum Toxin in the treatment of adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 56, 526-530.

Whurr, R., Lorsch, M., Lindsay, M., Brookes, G. B., Marsden, C. D., & Jahanshahi, M. (1998). Psychological function in spasmodic dysphonia before and after treatment with Botulinum Toxin. Journal of Medical Speech-Language Pathology, 6(2), 81-92.

Whurr, R., Nye, C., & Lorch, M. (1998). Meta-analysis of botulinum toxin treatment of spasmodic dysphonia: a review of 22 studies. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 33, 327-329.

Wong, D., Irish, J., Adams, S., Durkin, L., & Hunt, E. (1995). Laryngeal image analysis following botulinum toxin injections in spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Otolaryngology, 24, 64-68.

Wong, D. L., Adams, S. G., Irish, J. C., Durkin, L. C., Hunt, E. J., & Charlton, M. P. (1995). Effect of neuromuscular activity on the response to botulinum toxin injections in spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Otolaryngology, 24, 209-216.

Zwirner, P., Murry, T., Swenson, M., & Woodson, G. E. (1992). Effects of botulinum toxin therapy in patients with adductor spasmodic dysphonia: Acoustic, aerodynamic, and videoendoscopic findings. Laryngoscope, 102, 400-406.

Zwirner, P., Murry, T., & Woodson, G. (1993a). A comparison of bilateral and unilateral Botulinum toxin treatments for spasmodic dysphonia. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 250, 271-276.

Zwirner, P., Murry, T., & Woodson, G. (1993b). Perceptual-acoustic relationships in spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Voice, 7(2), 165-171.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Zwirner, P., Murry, T., & Woodson, G. (1997). Effects of botulinum toxin on vocal tract steadiness in patients with spasmodic dysphonia. European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology, 254, 391-395.

Miscellaneous References

Berke, G.S., Blackwell, K.E., Gerratt, B.R., Verneil, A., Jackson, K.S., & Sercarz, J.A. (1999). Selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinervation: a new surgical treatment for adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 108, 227-231.

Biller, H., Som, M., & Lawson, W. (1979). Laryngeal nerve crush for spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 88, 531-532.

Biller, H., Som, M., & Lawson, W. (1983). Laryngeal nerve crush for spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 92, 469.

Busenbark, K., Pahwa, R., Hubble, J., Hopfensperger, K., Koller, W., & Pogrebra, K. (1993). Double-blind controlled study of methazolamide in the treatment of essential tremor. Neurology, 43, 1045-1047.

Busenbark, K., Ramig, L., Dromey, C., & Koller, W. (1996). Methazolamide for essential voice tremor. Neurology, 49, 1331-1332.

Charles, P., Davis, T., Shannon, K., Hook, M., & Warner, J. (1997). Tongue protrusion dystonia: treatment with botulinum toxin. Southern Medical Journal, 90(5), 522-525.

Friedman, M., Grybauskas, V., Toriumi, D., & Applebaum, E. (1987). Treatment of spastic dysphonia without nerve section. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 96, 590-596.

Friedman, M., Toriumi, D., Grybauskas, V., & Applebaum, E. (1989). Implantation of a recurrent laryngeal nerve stimulator for the treatment of spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 98, 130-134.

Friedman, M., Wernicke, J., & Caldarelli, D. (1994). Safety and Tolerability of the Implantable Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Stimulator. Laryngoscope, 104, 1240-1244.

Hartman, D., & Vishwanat, B. (1984). Spastic dysphonia and essential (voice) tremor treated with primidone. Archives of Otolaryngology Head Neck Surgery, 110, 394-397.

Henschen, T., & Burton, N. (1978). Treatment of spastic dysphonia by EMG biofeedback. Biofeedback & Self-Regulation, 3, 91-96.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Isshiki, N., Yamamoto, Y., Tsuji, D., & Izuka, Y. (2000). Midline lateralization thyroplasty for adductor spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, & Laryngology, 109, 187-193.

Jankovic, J., & Ford, J. (1983). Blepharospasm and orofacial-cervical dystonia: clinical and pharmacological findings in 100 patients. Annals of Neurology, 13, 402-411.

Koller, W., Glatt, S., Biary, N., & Rubino, F. (1987). Essential tremor variants: effect of treatment. Clinical Neuropharmacology, 10, 342-350.

Koller, W., Graner, D., & Mlcoch, A. (1985). Essential voice tremor: Treatment with propranolol. Neurology, 35, 106-108.

Massey, E., & Paulson, G. (1985). Essential vocal tremor: Clinical characteristics and response to therapy. Southern Medical Journal, 78, 316-317.

Muenter, M., Daube, J., Caviness, J., & Miller, P. (1991). Treatment of essential tremor with methazolamide. Mayo Clinic Proceedings, 66, 991-997.

Netterville, J., Stone, R., Zealear, D., Rainey, C., & Ossoff, R. (1991). Recurrent laryngeal nerve avulsion for treatment of spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 100, 10-14.

Rontal, E., Rontal, M., Wald, J., & Rontal, D. (1999). Botunlimum toxin injection in the treatment of vocal fold paralysis associated with multiple sclerosis: A case report. Journal of Voice, 2, 274-279.

Schulz, G. M., & Ludlow, C. L. (1991). Botulinum treatment for orolingual-mandibular dystonia: Speech effects. In C. A. Moore & K. M. Yorkston & D. R. Beukelman (Eds.), Dysarthria and apraxia of speech: Perspectives on management (pp. 227-242). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

Taha, J., Janszen, M., & Favre, J. (1999). Thalamic deep brain stimulation for the treatment of head, voice, and bilateral limb tremor. Journal of Neurosurgery, 91, 68-72.

Tucker, H. (1989). Laryngeal framework surgery in the management of spasmodic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 98, 52-54.

Weed, D., Jewett, B., Rainey, C., Zealear, D., Stone, R., Ossoff, R., & Netterville, J. (1996). Long-term follow-up of recurrent laryngeal nerve avulsion for the treatment of spastic dysphonia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology, and Laryngology, 105, 592-601.

SD Guidelines Summary

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Whyte, S., & Darveniza, P. (1989). A review of 20 cases of spastic dysphonia. Clinical and Experimental Neurology, 26, 177-181.

Wood, K. (1991). Resolution of Spasmodic Dysphonia (Focal Laryngeal Dystonia) Via Chiropractic Manipulative Management. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 14, 376-378.

References Not Reviewed

Damste, P. H. (1977) Spastic dysphonia; untieing or cutting the knot [proceedings]. Orl; Journal of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology & its Related Specialties, 39, 173.

Fritzell, B., Feuer, E., Haglund, S., Knutsson, E., & Schiratzki, H. (1982) Experiences with recurrent laryngeal nerve section for spastic dysphonia. Folia Phoniatrica, 34, 160-167.

Kenan, P. D. & Riski, J. E. (1983) Spastic dysphonia helped by clipping recurrent laryngeal nerve. North Carolina Medical Journal, 44, 381.

Papathanasiou, I., MacDonald, M., Whur, R., Brookes, G., & Jahanshahi, M. (1998) Perceived stigmata among patients with spasmodic dysphonia. Journal of Speech and Language Pathology, 5, 251-262.

Poungvarin, N., Devahastin, V., & Viriyavejakul, A. (1995) Treatment of various movement disorders with botulinum A toxin injection: an experience with 900 patients. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand, 78, 281-288.

Stoehr, S. (1980) A surgical answer to spastic dysphonia. AORN Journal, 32, 977-982.

Watanabe, H., Komiyama, S., Kannae, S., & Matsubara, H. (1982) Biofeedback therapy for spastic dysphonia. Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 9, 183-190.

Whurr, R., Lorch, M. & Nye, C. (1997) The treatment of spasmodic dysphonia (SD) with botulinum toxin injection: A systematic review. Neurology Reviews International, 1, 1, 11-15.

Revised by JRDuffy 11/3/01, KMY 11/6/01

SD Guidelines Summary