[Central laryngeal motor disorders following severe, closed craniocerebral trauma and in cerebrovascular diseases].

111 patients with voice disturbances after severe closed head trauma or cerebro-vascular accident were examined laryngologically. They presented no signs of peripheral nerve involvement. Their main symptoms of central motor dysfunction of the larynx were a reduced motility of the abductors and adductors, a shortening and thickening of the vocal folds, reduced fine control of vocal fold stiffness, and the presence of involuntary laryngeal movements. The frequency of these observations as well as their temporal relation to the onset of the disorder are reported. Possible pathophysiological substrates of the observed laryngeal signs and their effects on voice quality are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on the differentiation between central and peripheral motor signs.