Laryngeal Findings in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Abstract

Introduction: Some studies have demonstrated that the intrinsic muscles of the larynx show no signs of damage to the muscle fiber and raise a possibility of preservation of the laryngeal muscles in muscular dystrophies. A cross-sectional study was implemented with a case series of patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Methods: This study was carried out through a medical assessment through anamnesis and medical records, perceptual-auditory evaluation of the voice in 15 patients, and videolaryngoscopic evaluation in 11 patients.

Results: All patients had the maximum phonation time of the vowel /e/ decreased, 7 (46.7%) had reduced loudness while 10 (66.7%) had vocal asthenia. There were no changes in muscular tone and mobility in the videolaryngoscopy.

Discussion: Patients with Duchene muscular dystrophy do not present abnormalities suggestive of the involvement of the intrinsic muscles of the larynx but have vocal worsening due to pulmonary impairment.

Keywords: Duchenne muscular dystrophy; DystrophinopathyLarynx; Laryngeal muscles; Muscular dystrophy.