Efeitos agudos laringológicos e vocais da radioiodoterapia em pacientes com hipertireoidismo por doença de Basedow Graves

Effects of Radioactive Iodine Ablation Therapy on Voice Quality

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of radioactive iodine ablation therapy on voice quality of patients diagnosed with well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

METHODS

We enrolled 36 patients who underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy due to well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma. Voice recordings from patients were analyzed for acoustic and aerodynamic voice. The Voice Handicap Index-10 was used for subjective analysis. The control group consisted of 36 healthy participants. Results taken before and after therapy were compared statistically.

RESULTS

There were no differences in the results taken before and after therapy for the radioactive iodine ablation group. The Voice Handicap Index-10 results did not differ between groups before and after therapy.

CONCLUSION

Radioactive iodine ablation therapy has no effect on voice quality objectively or subjectively.

Prevalence of upper aerodigestive symptoms in patients who underwent thyroidectomy with and without the use of intraoperative laryngeal nerve monitoring

BACKGROUND

Upper aerodigestive symptoms (UADS) have been reported by patients who have had thyroidectomies. This study evaluated the long-term prevalence of UADS after thyroidectomy in patients who did and who did not have intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM).

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of patients with normal vocal fold mobility who had a thyroidectomy. It included patients who did and did not have this surgery with IONM. All patients answered a questionnaire regarding UADS occurring one or more years after thyroidectomy. The questionnaire dealt with UADS relating to voice and swallowing symptoms and sought to quantify their severity. The 208 patients who underwent thyroidectomy without IONM were designated the control group (CG). The 100 patients who underwent thyroidectomy with IONM were designated the neuromonitored group (NMG).

RESULTS

The proportion of patients in the CG who reported UADS was 45%; 25.9% of these patients reported voice symptoms, and 33.6% reported swallowing symptoms. The proportion of patients in the NMG who reported UADS was 39%; 27% of these patients reported voice symptoms, and 22% reported swallowing symptoms. Thus, patients in the CG had more swallowing symptoms and a greater severity of UADS-related symptoms than patients in the NMG.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, IONM had a favorable effect in terms of decreasing the prevalence and severity of UADS occurring one year or more after thyroidectomy.