RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Bamboo nodes are transverse creamy-yellow subepithelial nodes in the vocal folds (VF) midpoint, usually bilateral, resembling a bamboo stem. They appear almost exclusively in females, and are associated with underlying autoimmune diseases. CASE SUMMARY: Six female patients, 45.5 years median age, with underlying autoimmune diseases, consulted due to dysphonia. The laryngeal stroboscopy showed bilateral VF bamboo nodes in four patients, and unilateral in the remaining two. VF mobility was normal in all patients, while the mucosal wave was impaired in four of them. Treatment with speech therapy and proton pump inhibitors was indicated. All the patients were referred for rheumatologic evaluation and immunosuppressive treatment optimization. Follow-up in five patients showed vocal function self-perception and GRBAS scores improvement. DISCUSSION: VF bamboo nodes are an infrequent cause for dysphonia, associated with phonotrauma and autoimmune diseases. Speech therapy and a rheumatologic workup must be indicated, for immunosuppressive treatment enhancement.
Assuntos
Artrite Reumatoide , Doenças Autoimunes , Disfonia , Doenças da Laringe , Humanos , Feminino , Disfonia/diagnóstico , Disfonia/etiologia , Disfonia/terapia , Doenças Autoimunes/complicações , Doenças Autoimunes/diagnóstico , Doenças Autoimunes/terapia , Prega Vocal , Doenças da Laringe/diagnóstico , Doenças da Laringe/terapia , Doenças da Laringe/etiologia , Imunossupressores/uso terapêutico , Artrite Reumatoide/complicaçõesRESUMO
OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of voice disorders in healthcare workers of high-risk hospital care units during the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Questionnaire survey to healthcare personnel of COVID-19 high-risk hospital units was conducted, regarding demographic data, clinical activity, the pattern of usage of personal protective equipment, medical and vocal history, vocal symptoms, and Spanish validated Voice Handicap Index (VHI)-10 questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 221 healthcare workers answered the survey. Nearly 33% of them reported having trouble with their voice during the last month, and 26.24% had an abnormal score in the Spanish validated VHI-10 questionnaire. The mean VHI-10 score was 7.92 (95% confidence interval 6.98-8.85). The number of working hours, the number of hours of mask daily use, simultaneous surgical and self-filtering mask use, and working in intermediate or intensive care units were independent variables significantly associated with a higher VHI-10 score. CONCLUSIONS: Healthcare workers of high-risk hospital care units during the universal masking COVID-19 pandemic are at risk of voice disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 131:E1227-E1233, 2021.