New Opportunities in the Treatment of Dysphonia S u m m a r y: The objective of this prospective randomized pilot study was to compare modalities of treatment of dysphonia. Eighteen patients with dysphonia persisting for more than two weeks attending successively the voice unit were divided at random into two groups. Group A was given instructions as regards vocal hygiene by an ENT specialist, group B was treated by pharmacotherapy. Group C, patients with persistent dysphonia had been treated at the beginning of the study pharmacologically already for 3 - 6 months. The patients were examined within a one-month interval by means of videostroboscopy of the vocal cords, phonetogram and quality of life in relation to their voice. The difference in the area of the phonetogram before and after treatment was significant in groups A and B (p = 0.03) but not in group C (p = 0.09). In the total score in the quality of life questionnaire there was an obvious trend of improvement after both types of treatment. The t-test was significant in group A (p ~ 0.01 - 0.03) but not in group B (p ~ 0.08 - 0.10). Pharmacotherapy and recommendations regarding vocal hygiene provided by an otolanrygologist (phoniatrist) can be considered an effective tool in the treatment of dysphonia.

        Key words: dysphonia, phonetrography, quality of life, videostroboscopy.