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Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia

  • Professional Voice Disorders (G Garrett, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Primary muscle tension dysphonia (PMTD) is a voice disorder of indeterminate cause, thought to be multifactorial. Emerging research is improving its diagnosis, but the lack of standard diagnostic testing for PMTD still creates challenges in accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Recent Findings

Review of the recent literature demonstrates the scarce validity and reliability of subjective laryngeal palpation measures, which are commonly used to assess the presence of intrinsic and extrinsic laryngeal tension in PMTD. An initial study with transcranial magnetic stimulation shows promise in the differential diagnosis between adductor spasmodic dysphonia and PMTD.

Summary

Current and past review of the literature continues to demonstrate the need for future investigation to determine the true pathophysiology of PMTD and its accurate differential diagnosis.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Louisiana State University, 68 Hatcher Hall, Field House Drive, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA

    Melda Kunduk

  2. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Our Lady of the Lake Voice Center, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, 70112, USA

    Daniel S. Fink & Andrew J. McWhorter

Authors
  1. Melda Kunduk
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  2. Daniel S. Fink
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  3. Andrew J. McWhorter
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andrew J. McWhorter.

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Conflict of Interest

Dr. Melda Kunduk, Dr. Daniel S. Fink, and Dr. Andrew J. McWhorter declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Professional Voice Disorders.

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Kunduk, M., Fink, D.S. & McWhorter, A.J. Primary Muscle Tension Dysphonia. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 4, 175–182 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-016-0123-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-016-0123-3

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