Background: The assessment of voice quality can be evaluated perceptually with standard clinical practice, also including acoustic evaluation of digital voice recordings to validate and further interpret perceptual judgments. The goal of the present study was to determine the strongest acoustic voice quality parameters for perceived hoarseness and breathiness when analyzing the sustained vowel [a:] using a new clinical acoustic tool, the VOXplot software. Methods: A total of 218 voice samples of individuals with and without voice disorders were applied to perceptual and acoustic analyses. Overall, 13 single acoustic parameters were included to determine validity aspects in relation to perceptions of hoarseness and breathiness. Results: Four single acoustic measures could be clearly associated with perceptions of hoarseness or breathiness. For hoarseness, the harmonics-to-noise ratio (HNR) and pitch perturbation quotient with a smoothing factor of five periods (PPQ5), and, for breathiness, the smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPS) and the glottal-to-noise excitation ratio (GNE) were shown to be highly valid, with a significant difference being demonstrated for each of the other perceptual voice quality aspects. Conclusions: Two acoustic measures, the HNR and the PPQ5, were both strongly associated with perceptions of hoarseness and were able to discriminate hoarseness from breathiness with good confidence. Two other acoustic measures, the CPPS and the GNE, were both strongly associated with perceptions of breathiness and were able to discriminate breathiness from hoarseness with good confidence.

Purpose: Investigating whether the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) are valid and comparable to previous unmasked measurements if the speaker wears a surgical mask or a FFP-2 mask to reduce the risk of transmitting air-borne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A convenience sample of 31 subjectively healthy participants was subjected to AVQI and ABI voice examination four times: Twice wearing no mask, once with a surgical mask and once with a FFP-2 mask as used regularly in our hospital. The order of the four mask conditions was randomized. The difference in the results between the two recordings without a mask was then compared to the differences between the recordings with each mask and one recording without a mask. Results: Sixty-two percent of the AVQI readings without a mask represented perfectly healthy voices, the largest AVQI without a mask value was 4.0. The mean absolute difference in AVQI was 0.45 between the measurements without masks, 0.48 between no mask and surgical mask and 0.51 between no mask and FFP-2 mask. The results were neither clinically nor statistically significant. For the ABI the resulting absolute differences (in the same order) were 0.48, 0.69 and 0.56, again neither clinically nor statistically different. Conclusion: Based on a convenience sample of healthy or only mildly impaired voices wearing CoViD-19 protective masks does not substantially impair the results of either AVQI or ABI results.

Dystonia is a heterogeneous group of hyperkinetic movement disorders. The unifying descriptor of dystonia is the motor manifestation, characterized by continuous or intermittent contractions of muscles that cause abnormal movements and postures. Additionally, there are psychiatric, cognitive, and sensory alterations that are possible or putative non-motor manifestations of dystonia. The pathophysiology of dystonia is incompletely understood. A better understanding of dystonia pathophysiology is highly relevant in the amelioration of significant disability associated with motor and non-motor manifestations of dystonia. Recently, diminished olfaction was found to be a potential non-motor manifestation that may worsen the situation of subjects with dystonia. Yet, this finding may also shed light into dystonia pathophysiology and yield novel treatment options. This article aims to provide background information on dystonia and the current understanding of its pathophysiology, including the key structures involved, namely, the basal ganglia, cerebellum, and sensorimotor cortex. Additionally, involvement of these structures in the chemical senses are reviewed to provide an overview on how olfactory (and gustatory) deficits may occur in dystonia. Finally, we describe the present findings on altered chemical senses in dystonia and discuss directions of research on olfactory dysfunction as a marker in dystonia.

Purpose: Observational study to determine if the voice-related self-concept as measured via the Fragebogen zur Erfassung des Stimmlichen Selbstkonzepts FESS (questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept) can be improved through in-patient voice therapy. Methods: 234 female and 80 male patients that underwent an intensive 3- to 4-week in-patient voice treatment due to varying types of dysphonia. After imputation of missing items but not missing questionnaires, 255 patients were eligible for FESS evaluation, 313 for VHI-12 evaluation. The German questionnaire for the assessment of the voice self-concept (FESS) and the German 12-item short-form of the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-12) were administered at the beginning and at the end of the hospital stay. Before–after comparisons are made visually and via t test. Results: The Voice Handicap was significantly reduced, demonstrating the effectiveness of the administered therapy. Of the three scales of the FESS, the relationship with one's own voice and the awareness of the use of one's own voice was increased and thus improved. The connection between voice and emotional changes decreased significantly but only slightly. Conclusion: Conservative voice rehabilitation can not only reduce the voice handicap, but also improve the voice self-concept and the results can be measured.

Background/Objectives: The various head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subtypes are among the most common cancers globally, with significant recurrence rates within the first two years post-treatment. Despite advancements in treatment, structured early follow-up remains crucial for timely diagnosis and effective salvage treatment. Methods: This retrospective study examines the impact of implementing a structured initial restaging between three and six months after the conclusion of initial treatment. The study population included 532 patients treated with curative intent at the University Medicine of Greifswald, Germany, between 2010 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: standard follow-up (SF) and adapted follow-up (AF). The AF group received standardized post-treatment restaging, including imaging and panendoscopy or PET-CT exams. Results: We found a trend towards earlier diagnosis and a reduction in recurrences, although these differences were not statistically significant. Secondary cancers were observed more frequently in the AF group, significantly affecting overall survival. Conclusions: Our cohort supports structured initial cancer follow-up in HNSCC. Although not significant, an initial multimodal exam after treatment was well tolerated and showed a trend toward earlier diagnosis.

Background/Objectives: The various head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) subtypes are among the most common cancers globally, with significant recurrence rates within the first two years post-treatment. Despite advancements in treatment, structured early follow-up remains crucial for timely diagnosis and effective salvage treatment. Methods: This retrospective study examines the impact of implementing a structured initial restaging between three and six months after the conclusion of initial treatment. The study population included 532 patients treated with curative intent at the University Medicine of Greifswald, Germany, between 2010 and 2019. Patients were divided into two groups: standard follow-up (SF) and adapted follow-up (AF). The AF group received standardized post-treatment restaging, including imaging and panendoscopy or PET-CT exams. Results: We found a trend towards earlier diagnosis and a reduction in recurrences, although these differences were not statistically significant. Secondary cancers were observed more frequently in the AF group, significantly affecting overall survival. Conclusions: A The study highlights the importance of structured early follow-up and suggests potential strategies and possible future improvements.