Case Reports
Velopharyngeal Dystonia: An Unusual Focal Task-specific Dystonia?
Authors:
- Amar S. PatelEmail Amar S. Patel
- Lucian Sulica
- Steven J. Frucht
Abstract
Background: Velopharyngeal dysfunction produces a nasal speech pattern because of the inability to close the nasal airway during speech, most often associated with anatomical abnormalities of the palate.
Case Report: We describe two cases of possible velopharyngeal dystonia, a task-specific movement disorder causing a speech pattern similar to velopharyngeal dysfunction. Both patients experienced treatment response with anticholinergic medication.
Discussion: Dystonia affecting speech via involvement of the pharyngeal musculature may be an unrecognized etiology of voice disorders.
- Year: 2017
- Volume: 7
- Page/Article: 365
- DOI: 10.5334/tohm.353
- Submitted on 4 Jan 2016
- Accepted on 28 Jun 2017
- Published on 11 Jul 2017
- Peer Reviewed