Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

A variant of spasmodic dysphonia in which the spasms push the vocal cords together, choking off or straining the voice. Adductor spasmodic dysphonia (AD-SD), also called strain-strangle phonation, is the most common variant of spasmodic dysphonia, comprising about 90% of the cases. It is to be distinguished from abductor spasmodic dysphonia (AB-SD), a variant in which the spasms pull the vocal cords apart.

In its classic variant, the adductory spasms of adductor spasmodic dysphonia are intermittent, each time clamping the vocal cords together momentarily, so that words or syllables in a person’s speech are intermittently choked out. In its tonic variant, the adductory spasms are more constant and sustained than intermittent, so that instead of interrupting the person’s speech, the spasms cause a constant strained or “tight” vocal quality.

Occasionally, a person has both abductory and adductory spasms; this is called mixed AB-AD spasmodic dysphonia. For more about spasmodic dysphonia in general and the treatment options for it, see our main entry.

Pure AD-SD tonic only, moderate severity:

The false vocal cords are in normal relation to the true vocal cords — AD-SD (1 of 2)

Sustained, clear phonation, standard light. Note vibratory blur of the vocal cord margins. The false vocal cords (lines) are in normal relation to the true vocal cords.

Adductory spasm

Adductory spasm (2 of 2)

A moment later, an adductory spasm occurs. The spasm may momentarily stop the voice (phonatory arrest). Note the inward squeezing of the entire supraglottis (false cords, arytenoids, and petiole).

Adductory Spasmodic Dysphonia – Tonic Variant

Adductory spasmodic dysphonia is a variant of spasmodic dysphonia in which the spasms push the vocal cords together, choking off or straining the voice. There are two variants of adductory spasmodic dysphonia: classic and tonic. In the classic variant, the adductory spasms of adductor spasmodic dysphonia are intermittent, each time clamping the vocal cords together momentarily, so that words or syllables in a person’s speech are intermittently choked out. In the tonic variant, the adductory spasms are more constant and sustained than intermittent, so that instead of interrupting the person’s speech, the spasms cause a constant strained or “tight” vocal quality.

Adductor Spasmodic Dysphonia

Pure AD-SD tonic only, moderate severity:

AD-SD (1 of 2)

AD-SD (2 of 2)

Adductory spasm

Adductory spasm (1 of 2)

Adductory spasm (2 of 2)

Adductory Spasmodic Dysphonia – Tonic Variant

Tags