Dysphonia as post-covid-syndrome ?

Introduction 

We report on three patients, who presented themselves at our clinic between February and June 2021 with impaired voice, which resulted in an aphonia after having had Covid-19 infection.

Material & methods 

Indirect laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy were performed in all patients. The voice quality was limited in all patients. Voice analysis was performed perceptively (RHB scheme) and objectively by computer-assisted analysis (Göttingen hoarseness diagram, voice field). Self-assessment was performed using the Voice Handicap Index (VHI).

Results 

Laryngoscopically, all patients showed laterally mobile vocal folds, non-irritant mucosal conditions and a wide glottis. All patients showed wide, irregular vibration amplitudes and incomplete glottis closure by videostroboscopy. Objective voice analysis revealed pathological values for the irregularity and noise components as well as the Dysphonia Severity Index (DSI). In the VHI all patients documented a high-grade voice disorder with a mean score >62. Our patients continued to suffer from dysphonia 6-9 months after initial presentation. Voice therapy did not provide satisfactory voice improvement.

Discussion 

Whether glottic hypofunction is due to sensorimotor dysfunction caused by neurotropic coronavirus remains a conjecture. In addition, the hypofunction may be related to the general reduced performance of the patients in post-covid-syndrome.

Conclusion 

According to our literature research, this is the first description of dysphonia as a possible symptom in post-covid-syndrome.

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022