Abstract
Introduction The study of the dynamic properties of vocal fold vibration is important for understanding
the vocal production mechanism and the impact of organic and functional changes. The
advent of high-speed videolaryngoscopy (HSV) has provided the possibility of seeing
the real cycle of vocal fold vibration in detail through high sampling rate of successive
frames and adequate spatial resolution.
Objective To describe the technique, advantages, and limitations of using HSV and digital videokymography
in the diagnosis of vocal pathologies.
Methods We used HSV and digital videokymography to evaluate one normophonic individual and
four patients with vocal fold pathologies (nodules, unilateral paralysis of the left
vocal fold, intracordal cyst, and adductor spasmodic dysphonia). The vocal fold vibration
parameters (glottic closure, vibrational symmetry, periodicity, mucosal wave, amplitude,
and glottal cycle phases) were assessed.
Results Differences in the vocal vibration parameters were observed and correlated with the
pathophysiology.
Conclusion HSV is the latest diagnostic tool in visual examination of vocal behavior and has
considerable potential to refine our knowledge regarding the vocal fold vibration
and voice production, as well as regarding the impact of pathologic conditions have
on the mechanism of phonation.
Keywords
stroboscopy - voice disorders - vocal cords - vibration - dysphonia - laryngoscopy
