Ruriko Terasawa

Fundamental frequency and sound pressure level of phonation in pathological states

Summary The fundamental frequency (F 0 ) for the habitual pitch (F 0HAB ), F 0 for the lowest physiological tone (F 0L ), F 0 for the highest physiological tone (F 0H ), F 0 range of phonation (F 0 Rg), sound pressure level (SPL) for habitual loudness (SPL HAB ), SPL for the softest tone (SPL S ), SPL for the loudest tone (SPL L ), and SPL range of phonation (SPL Rg) were measured in 40 normal adult subjects and 1,563 voice patients with varying diseases. F 0H , F 0 Rg, SPL L , and SPL Rg were decreased in many disease groups. F 0HAB and F 0L varied. SPL HAB and SPL S were increased in some disease groups. F 0 -related parameters reflected effects of treatments in the cases with polyp, Reinkes edema, epithelial hyperplasia, carcinoma, and paralysis. Effects of treatments were manifested in SPL-related parameters in the cases with nodule, polyp, carcinoma, and paralysis.

Examination of air usage during phonation: Correlations among test parameters

Summary Correlations among parameters indicating air usage during phonation were investigated in 60 normal subjects and 1,545 voice patients. The parameters examined were maximum phonation time (MPT), mean air flow rate for maximum sustained phonation (MFRm), mean air flow rate for comfortable phonation (MFRc), and phonation quotient (PQ). In normal subjects, correlations among MPT, MFRm, and PQ were high, but those between MFRc and the others were moderate. In cases of paralysis and hypofunctional dysphonia, all correlations between the four parameters were high. In the cases of polyp, nodule, epithelial hyperplasia, glottic carcinoma, and hyperfunctional dysphonia, the correlation between MPT and MFRc was moderate or not significant. The low correlation between these parameters was associated with the variations in flow rate differences between maximum and comfortable phonations. The results suggest that measurement of all four parameters is not necessary in routine tests and that MPT and MFRc should be measured in most voice patients.

Conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of voice in treating patients with carcinoma of the larynx. A 10-year review of 244 patients.

We reviewed clinical records of 244 patients with carcinoma of the larynx treated during the 10 years from 1971 to 1980 in the Department of Otolaryngology, Kurume University Hospital. Of the 244 patients, 111 patients (45.5%) were treated with their voice conserved and 133 underwent total laryngectomy. In the latter, information on the modality of speech communication was obtained from 73 patients. Forty-nine (67%) of these 73 patients was able to speak by some means but the remaining 24 (33%) had no means to speak.

A REVIEW OF CO2 LASER SURGERY FOR CARCINOMA OF THE LARYNX

During the period from 1978 to August, 1984, 66 patients with carcinoma of the larynx were treated with the use of CO2 laser at Kurume University Hospital. Results are summarized as follows: 1)Thirty patients who had no previous treatments were treated with laser alone. Of the 30, 3 were Tis cases, 18 were Tla, 7 were Tlb, 2 were T2. Nine patients developed recurrence. 8 patients received second treatments and they are alive with no evidence of disease. The other rejected to have further treatment and died of an intercurrent disease. 2)Thirty-two patients who had no previous treatments were treated with laser and radiotherapy. Of the 32, 10 were T1a cases, 14 were T1b cases, 8 were T2 cases. Seven patients developed recurrence. They were further treated with varying modalities and are alive without any evidence of disease. 3)Four patients were radiation failure. Three of them were rT1a and 1 was rT1b. They were treated with laser alone. Three are alive and the other died of an intercurrent disease. None of the 4 developed local recurrence.

Trauma of the Larynx and Cervical Trachea. A 10-Year Review of 51 Patients

Trauma of the larynx and trachea is not a common condition. But once it happens, the management is not simple. This condition has been calling attention of physicians also because iatrogenic traumas have been increasing. In the 10-year period from 1971 to 1980, 51 patients with trauma of the larynx and/or the cervical trachea were treated in the Department of Otolaryngology, Kurume University Hospital. The purpose of this paper is to review these patients and to discuss the treatment of this difficult condition.