Table of contents
Expand All Topics
Dysphonia
Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of dysphonia are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF 2018) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP 2017).
1
2
Screening and diagnosis
Diagnostic investigations
History and physical examination: as per AAO-HNSF 2018 guidelines, elicit medical history and perform a physical examination to assess for underlying causes of dysphonia and factors modifying management,
B
as well as to identify factors requiring expedited laryngeal evaluation including but not limited to:recent surgical procedures involving the head, neck, or chest
recent endotracheal intubation
presence of concomitant neck mass
respiratory distress or stridor
history of tobacco abuse
professional voice use.
B
More topics in this section
Diagnostic imaging
Diagnostic procedures
Medical management
Acid-reducing therapy: as per AAO-HNSF 2018 guidelines, do not use antireflux medications for the treatment of isolated dysphonia solely based on symptoms attributed to suspected GERD or laryngopharyngeal reflux, without visualization of the larynx.
D
More topics in this section
Corticosteroids
Antibiotics
Nonpharmacologic interventions
Therapeutic procedures
Surgical interventions
Indications for surgery: as per AAO-HNSF 2018 guidelines, offer surgery as a therapeutic option in patients with dysphonia with conditions amenable to surgical intervention, such as suspected malignancy, symptomatic benign vocal fold lesions not responding to conservative management, or glottic insufficiency.
B