The influence of vocal fold mass lesions on the passaggio region of professional singers.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: In professional classical singing, an even voice quality throughout the entire singing voice range is essential. Transitions between vocal registers (passaggio) are the technically most challenging aspects in classical singing. It is hypothesized that they are most affected by vocal fold mass lesions (VFML).

STUDY

DESIGN

Cohort study.

METHODS

In this study, the effect of VFML on vocal fold vibration in the passaggio regions was analyzed in four female and three male singers suffering from organic dysphonia. The singers were asked to sing an ascending glissando through the passaggio regions, before and after treatment. The vocal fold vibration was documented with transnasal endoscopic high-speed imaging recordings at 20,000 frames per second, supplemented by synchronized acoustic and electroglottographic recordings.

RESULTS

Major irregularities were found in the passaggio region of four singers before treatment, whereas the respective phonations below the passaggio were almost regular. In two female singers only the upper, but not the lower passaggio was affected. In all four of these participants, the passaggio region was more regular after treatment. In the remaining three participants, the VFML showed no effect on the passaggio region. However, the singers' ability to reach higher pitches was impaired, but was resolved after treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The data in this case study strongly suggest that the passaggio region could be affected by VFML, even if phonation outside the passaggio regions is unimpaired. When planning surgical procedures for professional singers, clinical examination protocols should therefore include phonatory tests across the passaggio regions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 127:1392-1401, 2017.