Quick Facts about
Laryngeal Dystonia/Spasmodic Dysphonia
- Laryngeal dystonia is often referred to as spasmodic dysphonia.
- Spasmodic dysphonia is a focal form of dystonia that affects the vocal cords.
- Symptoms include involuntary contractions of the vocal cords causing interruptions of speech and affecting the voice quality.
- One of the most characteristic features of spasmodic dysphonia is the patterned, repeated “breaks” in speech.
- Symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia come in several varieties, but can be broadly divided into two forms: adductor and abductor.
- The more common adductor type causes a tight, “strangled-sounding” voice quality, often with abrupt starting and stopping of the voice.
- The abductor type causes a breathy, whispering voice.
- Most cases of spasmodic dysphonia/laryngeal dystonia are primary and develop in adults.
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