Diagnosis and Treatment of Voice Disorders from the Viewpoint of their Pathophysiology

Abstract

In this review, we describe how to diagnose and treat voice disorders from the viewpoint of their pathophysi-ology.1） Phonation is a physical phenomenon wherein expiration vibrates the vocal fold to produces the voice. It is im-portant to consider the vocal fold as a vibrating tissue when evaluating its pathophysiology. There are likely to be problems with vocal fold vibration in patients with voice disorders. 2） When you encounter voice disorder patients who lack findings associated with the vocal fold, it is necessary to check for the conditions necessary for normal vocal fold vibration （phonation）. 3） You should consider the cause of difficulties in the vocal fold vibration as a vibrating tissue, and clarify the pathophysiology of the voice disorders from this point of view. In addition, multidisciplinary treatment （com-bined pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment and voice therapy） should be administered for voice disorders based on their pathophysiology.