INTRODUCTIONMore advanced neuromas originate from the cranial and spinal nerve roots, and they manifest symptoms as slow and progressive spine compression, and partial or total surgical removal is indicated1. Cranial pairs V, VII, IX, X, XI and XII act directly on speech production and swallowing2,3 and, when involved, may interfere in the patient's life quality, especially the social, nutritional and pulmonary aspects. The more these nerves are involved, the higher is the risk of developing aspiration pneumonia4, and the multidisciplinary care is fundamental in order to treat these patients and minimize resection sequelae5,6.
Our goal was to check the results of speech, mastication and swallowing rehabilitation in a case of neck and pharyngeal neuroma by means of exams: laryngeal, swallowing video fluoroscopy, and electromyography of masticatory muscles.
CASE PRESENTATIONA 38 year old patient, that after suffering a resection of a neck and pharyngeal neuroma that involved the neck region and the carotid artery, complained of dysphonia, dysphagia and chewing difficulties.
In our evaluation we noticed tongue atrophy and reduction of labial mobility on the right side, associated with reduced tongue elevation. The videolaryngoscopy showed paralysis of the hemilarynx and also of the right vocal fold in total abduction, reduction in soft palate muscle contraction on the right side and a blowy voice pattern. After a type I thyroplasty, she presented with a posterior midline triangular vocal fold slit with partial vocal improvement.
During swallowing videofluoroscopy we noticed for all types of food material: premature food escape; food residues in the oral cavity; difficulty in transporting the food from the oral phase to the pharynx and food stasis in the piriform fossae and piriform recesses.
Electromyography showed a reduction in temporal and masseter muscle activity on the right side.
Speech therapy rehabilitation happened in 24 sessions, with isotonic and isometric myofunctional exercises of the tongue and masticatory muscles (masseter and temporalis) and the utterance of vowel /i/ sustained with hands in hook-shape associated with neck flexion to the right.
DISCUSSIONTable 1 depicts the pre and post rehabilitation findings. After speech therapy, the new tests showed: improvements in tongue strength, tonus and mobility; no premature food escape; increase in pharynx constriction muscles contraction, with residue reduction in the piriform fossae; increase in right side temporal and masseter muscles activity and unaltered voice quality.
It is important to highlight that the exercises selected for the speech therapy rehabilitation in this patient were those that, besides indicated, presented the best results during the therapeutic tests.
The vocal exercise carried out was then selected because it was the only one that caused a mild reduction in the glottal slit, and also a mild increase in voice blowing pattern during its performance. Along speech therapy, other vocal exercises were selected, associated or not to neck postural maneuvers, but also without good results as far as vocal quality is concerned.
FINAL REMARKSThere was a significant improvement in mastication, swallowing, tongue muscle activity and masticatory muscles after speech therapy rehabilitation, although voice quality remained unaltered.
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4. Sakao T, Noguchi S, Murakami N, Uchino S. Neurilemona of the neck;a report of 35 cases. Nippon Geka Gakkai Zasshi 1990;91(3):407-10.
5. Gonçalves MIR. Alterações estruturais mínimas da cobertura das pregas vocais: fatores que interferem no diagnóstico (Tese). São Paulo: Escola Paulista de Medicina; 1994.
6. Maffei C, Gonçalves MIR, Biase N. Avaliação laringológica e perceptivo-auditiva vocal nas fases pré e pós-aplicação da técnica de vibração sonora de pregas vocais na leucoplasia plana. Fonoatual 2004;28:53-4.
1 M.S. in Communications Disorders - Tuiuti University - Paraná - PhD student in Stomatology - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná. Volunteer Researcher - M.S. Program of Communications Disorders - Tuiuti University - Paraná.
2 Post-Doctorate degree - California University, Adjunct Professor of the M.S. Program in Communications Disorders - Tuiuti University - Paraná.
3 Specialist in Oral Motricity/Dysphagia - Tuiuti University - Paraná. Physician in Charge of the swallowing videofluoroscopy exams sector - Red Cross Hospital - Paraná.
4 DDS. Specialist in Periodontology - University of Araçatuba, São Paulo.
5 PhD, Professor/Director -Centro Avançado de ORL/Cérvico-facial.
Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná Centro Avançado de Otorrinolaringologia - CAO Hospital da Cruz Vermelha do Paraná Hospital São Vicente do Paraná.
Mailing Address: Carla Maffei - Rua Martim Afonso 2986 apto. 1101 80730-030 Curitiba Paraná.
E-mail: carlamaffei@uol.com.br
Paper submitted to the ABORL-CCF SGP (Management Publications System) on February 14th, 2006 and accepted for publication on August 3rd, 2006. cod. 1724.
