Name: Isabella Diaz

Date: 4/1/2015

Related Chapter: Phonation

CGSC378
Case Study
Diagnosis: Ventricular Phonation
(Also known as ventricular dysphonia/dysphonia plica ventricularis)
What is it? Using false or ventricular folds for voicing rather than the true vocal
folds.
Voice quality: The voice sounds very rough and strained, sometimes not quite
human, limited in pitch and volume.
Incidence/Prevalence: From what Ive found online, it seems as though this
disorder is not very common and is poorly understood. There was a lack of
information about the incidence of this disorder. However, an article published by
Kendall and Leonard in 1997 reports a prevalence of ventricular phonation of 6%. I
also found that the estimated incidence of hoarseness following ventricular
phonation is 4%.
Demographics: Ventricular phonation can be found across the lifespan and there is
no evidence of it being prominent in one sex over the other. There was a lack of
information regarding demographics of this disorder; however since vocal fold
dysfunction can be found across the lifespan it makes sense that ventricular
phonation is also found in all ages since vocal fold dysfunction can lead to
ventricular phonation.
Etiology re: Anatomy/Physiology: Ventricular phonation can be a result of
excessive muscular tension in the laryngeal area. When a great amount of muscle
tension above the vocal folds is created in the laryngeal area it can cause an
approximation of the false vocal folds. Ventricular phonation can also be an
adaptive response to severe vocal fold dysfunction such as growths on the folds.
When true vocal fold vibration is physically impossible, vibration of the false folds
comes into play.
Speech/language Sample*: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6Cr1shry28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp0rjEaiEE8 (voice sample)
Evidence-based treatment: Speech therapy is used to correct this problem. If
this therapy fails and ventricular phonation persists, surgical procedures can be
pursued. Some surgical options include excision of the false vocal folds or using a
CO2 laser for excision of redundant mucosa and connective tissue of the false vocal
folds. Therapy should be chosen based on the underlying cause of the
abnormalities.

Name: Isabella Diaz

Date: 4/1/2015

Related Chapter: Phonation