Bożena Kosztyła-Hojna

Optical radiation in modern medicine

Optical radiation extends between microwaves and X-rays of the electromagnetic radiation and includes ultraviolet (UV), visible light (VL) and infrared (IR) components. The dose of radiation that reaches the skin is influenced by the ozone layer, position of the Sun, latitude, altitude, cloud cover and ground reflections. The photobiological effects of UV, VL and IR bands depend on their wavelength, frequency and mechanism of action. They are modified by the thickness, structure, vasculature and pigmentation of skins stratum corneum, epidermis and dermis. Following absorption, IR affects the body mainly through transfer of thermal energy to tissues. Visible light and skin interact either thermally or photochemically, whereas UV acts mainly photochemically. Optical radiation in the form of sunlight therapy had been used already in ancient times. Nowadays IR, VL and UV are widely applied in the therapy of allergic, dermatological, cardiovascular, respiratory, rheumatic, neonatal, pediatric and psychiatric disorders.

Morphological aspects of the euphonic voice

The high quality of a euphonic voice is the result of complex interactions between many organs and systems. Vibrating vocal folds play a crucial role in this process. Their physiological motion is conditioned by the presence of the layered structure of laryngeal mucosa. In this study, we assessed the degree of dysphonia according to the Union of European Phoniatrics (UEP) scale. Videoendoscopy (VLS) and videostroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was used to visualize the vibration of the vocal folds. Morphological assessment of the inter-membranous part of the vocal fold mucosa was carried out using material collected after surgical treatment (60%) or obtained from autopsy (40%). The samples were examined by light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In euphonic voices, 1° of dysphonia (UEP) and the physiological endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) findings of vocal folds were registered. No morphological or ultramorphological changes were observed in the cells of the multilayered flat epithelium, basal membrane or in the stroma. Unchanged epithelial cells were situated on the basal membrane with folds. Moreover, numerous pericytes, vessels with multiplication of basal membranes, scanty collagenous fibers, plasmatic cells and lymphocytes were seen. Morphological changes with signs of atrophy and polypoid degeneration of the vocal fold mucosa were found in only 3 (15%) patients.

Parameters of the assessment of voice quality and clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis

PURPOSE The aim of the study was to investigate the voice quality parameters in 72 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and their relationships with the clinical manifestations and disease activity. The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects. MATERIAL AND METHODS All RA patients were evaluated by extensive clinical, laboratory and radiographic studies. The phoniatric assessment included the analysis of vocal folds vibrations by digital stroboscopy (DS) of the larynx using HRES ENDOCAM 5562 system, digital kymography (DKG) and High-Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique. The acoustic voice analysis was conducted using DiagnoScope Specialist program. RESULTS Voice quality disorders were registered in 32 (44.44%) RA patients and observed more frequently in patients with moderate and severe activity (DAS28≥3.2) than in mild RA. In digital stroboscopy, confirmed by digital kymography, the hypofunctional dysphonia was observed especially in patients with DAS28≥3.2. Outcomes of the subjective assessment of voice quality were in accordance with the objective parameters and acoustic voice examination. CONCLUSIONS In RA patients the most frequent voice quality disorders with hypofunctional dysphonia were registered. The relationships between voice quality disorders, clinical activity and radiographic progression of RA patients were observed. Digital stroboscopy, digital kymography, High-Speed Digital Imaging and acoustic voice analysis used in the complex diagnosis of RA confirmed the presence of pathological changes in the larynx. There is a need of cooperation between rheumatologists and phoniatricians in the diagnosis and treatment of dysphonia in RA patients.

AB0168 Relationship between voice quality parameters and clinical manifestation of rheumatoid arthritis

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, multisystem autoimmune disease manifested by joint inflammation and damage including also joints and laryngeal cartilages which play an essential role in the process of phonation. Cricoarytenoid joint involvement may result in voice quality disorders – dysphonia. Objectives The aim of the study was the assessment of subjective and objective parameters of voice quality in RA patients and their relationships with disease activity. Methods The study was carried out on 62 patients with RA and 22 healthy subjects, without pathological changes of voice quality. All RA patients were evaluated by rheumatological and phoniatric examinations. Clinical examinations of RA patients included the assessment of the radiological stage according to Steinbrocker and Disease Activity Score (DAS 28). The assessment of voice quality was carried out using subjective and objective methods. The examination of the larynx was conducted by videoendoscopy (VLS) and videostroboscopy (VLSS) with the usage of videostroboscope by WOLF. Moreover, the analysis of vocal folds vibrations was also carried out using the high-speed imaging and kymography with HRES ENDOCAM 5562 system by the same company. The acoustic voice analysis based on “a” vowel and linguistic text was carried out using “DiagnoScope Specjalista” program by DiagNova Technologies. The acoustic parameters such as: F0, Jitter, Shimmer, NHR were analysed and the assessment of narrow band spectrogram was carried out. Results Voice quality disorders with features of hypofunctional dysphonia were registered in 27 (43.5%) patients with RA. Results of the subjective assessment of voice quality were in accordance with results of the analysis of objective parameters and acoustic voice examination. In RA patients with active disease (DAS > 3.2) the laryngeal disorders of hypofunctional dysphonia were observed more frequently (57.1%) than in the group with inactive disease, in which voice pathology was found only in 15%. The impairment of vocal folds mobility was observed only in RA patients with advanced stage of the disease. Conclusions Voice quality disorders correlated with disease activity in RA patients. The impairment of vocal fold mobility may reflect the extend of RA. Voice quality disorders in RA patients may be the result of inflammatory process as a consequence of the disease. Our findings point to an important role of the assessment of voice quality in the diagnosis procedure of RA patients. There is a need of cooperation between rheumatologists and phoniatricians in the process of treatment and rehabilitation of RA patients. References Sanz L, Sistiaga JA, Lara AJ et al. The prevalence of dysphonia, its association with immunomediated diseases and correlation with biochemical markers. J Voice 2012, 26 (2): 148-153. Speyer R, Speyer I, Heijnen MA. Prevalence and relative risk of dysphonia in rheumatoid arthritis. J Voice 2008; 22 (2): 232-237. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Wpływ wibracyjnej terapii stymulującej na jakość głosu w postaci hiperfunkcjonalnej dysfonii zawodowej

UNLABELLED Hyperfunctional dysphonia is the most frequent type of occupational functional dysphonia. Pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy and psychotherapy are used in the treatment of occupational dysphonia. Vibratory massages of the regions of the larynx relax the external muscles of neck, which have an indirect impact on the tension of the vocal folds. PURPOSE The aim of the study is to assess the impact of vibratory stimulation therapy on voice quality in patients with hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia treated pharmacologically. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty patients with hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia treated phoniatrically in the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 20 patients treated pharmacologically. In group II, including 20 patients, apart from pharmacotherapy the vibratory stimulation therapy by the device of VR type (CyberBioMed LLC) was used. In the analysis of voice quality the evaluation of the vocal folds vibration using videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic assessment of voice were conducted. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The perceptual assessment of voice, the visualization of the vocal folds vibration in stroboscopic examination of the larynx and the acoustic assessment of voice enable the appropriate diagnostics of the clinical type and voice quality in hyperfunctional dysphonia. The tension of superficial and deep muscles of neck has the impact on the phonatory function of the larynx. Pharmacological treatment improves the voice quality in hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia. Pharmacological treatment combines with the relaxation of muscles of neck using the device of VR type significantly improve voice quality in hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia.Summary Hyperfunctional dysphonia is the most frequent type of occupational functional dysphonia. Pharmacotherapy, physiotherapy and psychotherapy are used in the treatment of occupational dysphonia. Vibratory massages of the regions of the larynx relax the external muscles of neck, which have an indirect impact on the tension of the vocal folds. Purpose The aim of the study is to assess the impact of vibratory stimulation therapy on voice quality in patients with hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia treated pharmacologically. Material and methods Forty patients with hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia treated phoniatrically in the Phoniatric Outpatient Clinic were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups. Group I consisted of 20 patients treated pharmacologically. In group II, including 20 patients, apart from pharmacotherapy the vibratory stimulation therapy by the device of VR type (CyberBioMed LLC) was used. In the analysis of voice quality the evaluation of the vocal folds vibration using videolaryngostroboscopy and acoustic assessment of voice were conducted. Results and conclusions The perceptual assessment of voice, the visualization of the vocal folds vibration in stroboscopic examination of the larynx and the acoustic assessment of voice enable the appropriate diagnostics of the clinical type and voice quality in hyperfunctional dysphonia. The tension of superficial and deep muscles of neck has the impact on the phonatory function of the larynx. Pharmacological treatment improves the voice quality in hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia. Pharmacological treatment combines with the relaxation of muscles of neck using the device of VR type significantly improve voice quality in hyperfunctional occupational dysphonia.

Psychogenic voice disorders

INTRODUCTION Voice express the psyche and personality of a person. Psychogenic dysphonia is called Phononeurosis. Neurosis, depression or family, occupational and social conflicts are the cause of voice disturbances. The most frequent type of dysphonia is hyperfunctional dysphonia, rarer - hypofunctional type. AIM The aim of this study is an analysis of voice quality and diagnosis of clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia. MATERIAL AND METHODS The analyzed group consisted of 50 patients with voice disorders treated in 2017 and the control group - 30 people with physiological voice. In the diagnosed group 60% of patients were treated for neurosis, 12% due to depression, the others reported conflict situations. In the diagnosis of clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia GRBAS scale was used, maximum phonation time (MPT) and type of breathing were assessed. The visualisation of the larynx was performed using High Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) technique. The parametric acoustic evaluation of voice was conducted. RESULTS The most often clinical type of psychogenic dysphonia was hyperfunctional dysphonia, rarer hypofunctional type and vestibular voice. Dysphonia occurred the most often in women during the highest professional activity period. In the diagnosis of clinical type HSDI technique was especially useful allowing to visualization of the real vocal fold vibration and objective differentiation of hyper- and hypofunctional dysphonia. The acoustic analysis of the voice objectively confirmed the presence non-harmonic components - noise generated in the glottis in hypofunctional dysphonia. Disturbances in the way and breathing type caused irregularities in respiratory-phonic and articulation coordination.

Usefulness of high-speed digital imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of oedematous – hypertrophic changes of the larynx in people using voice occupationally

INTRODUCTION The aim of the study is the evaluation of the usefulness of High-Speed Digital Imaging (HSDI) in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa, morphologically confirmed by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) method in patients working with voice occupationally. MATERIAL AND METHODS The group consisted of 30 patients working with voice occupationally with oedematous-hypertrophic changes of vocal fold mucosa. Parameters of vocal folds vibrations were evaluated using HSDI technique with a digital HS camera, HRES Endocam Richard Wolf GmbH. The image of vocal folds was recorded with a rate of 4000 frames per second. Postoperative material of the larynx was prepared in a routine way and observed in transmission electron microscope OPTON 900-PC. RESULTS HSDI technique allows to assess the real vibrations of vocal folds and determine many parameters. The results of TEM in the postoperative material showed destruction of epithelial cells with severe vacuolar degeneration, the enlargement of intercellular spaces and a large number of blood vessels in the stroma, which indicates the presence of oedematous-hypertrophic changes of the larynx. DISCUSSION The ultrastructural assessment confirm the particular usefulness of HSDI method in the diagnosis of organic dysphonia in a form of oedematous-hypertrophic changes. Key words: High-Speed Digital Imaging, oedematous-hypertrophic changes, vocal fold mucosa, larynx.

Clinical usefulness of videocapillaroscopy and selected endothelial cell activation markers in people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus complicated by microangiopathy

PURPOSE Microvascular abnormalities are one of the most important causes of persistent diabetic complications. The aim of our study was to compare microvascular changes examined by nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) examination with serum concentrations of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), soluble thrombomodulin (sTM) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) in people with Type 1 diabetes with and without microangiopathy. MATERIAL/METHODS The study included 106 people with Type 1 diabetes and 40 healthy controls. All participants were evaluated by extensive clinical, laboratory and capillaroscopic studies. NVC was performed using a stereomicroscope SZ 4045 (Olympus, Germany). The intensity of morphological changes was graded from 0 to 3. Serum levels of VEGF, sTM and ET-1 were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS Morphological changes were observed by NVC in 86 out of 106 (81%) people with Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Severe capillaroscopic changes (score 3) were seen in 32 out of 54 (59%) people with microangiopathy, but in only seven out of 52 (13%) individuals without microangiopathy. Higher serum concentration of VEGF (p<0.001), ET-1 (p<0.001) and sTM (p<0.05) were demonstrated in people with diabetes complicated with microangiopathy compared to healthy controls. Moreover, comparison between people with and without microangiopathic complications showed a significantly higher capillaroscopic score and sTM serum concentration in the group with retinopathy (p<0.001) nephropathy (p<0.001) and neuropathy (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that abnormalities in NVC may reflect the extent of microvascular involvement and associated with higher VEGF, sTM and ET-1 serum levels, as well as with microangiopathic complications in diabetic people.

Videostroboscopic and morphological aspects of voice disturbances in patients with larynx atrophy and coexisting hypopharynx cancer.

Vocal folds play a crucial role in voice production. The physiological vibrations of vocal folds depend on the unchanged multilayered structure of the vocal folds mucosa. Morphological changes of mucosa are the cause of voice quality disorders - dysphonia. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological base of dysphonia in patients with vocal folds atrophy. A group of 24 patients with larynx atrophy confirmed by endoscopic (VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was included in the study. The morphological assessment of the larynx mucosa was carried out with the use of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ultramorphological examinations revealed changes in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of the vocal folds mucosa. An increased number of collagenous fibers, fibroblasts with signs of vacuolar degeneration inflammatory cells and a decreased number of blood vessels and pericytes were observed. Morphological changes found in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of the vocal folds mucosa were the cause of disorders of vocal folds vibrations registered in the stroboscopic examination of the larynx (VLSS).