Laryngeal function in postpolio patients.

Of the 250,000 survivors of the polio epidemics, approximately 25% experience progressive muscle weakness known as postpolio syndrome (PPS). Laryngeal function in postpolio patients previously has not been studied. This paper presents data detailing laryngeal function in a group of postpolio patients who had been evaluated for swallowing complaints. Nine patients underwent comprehensive history and physical exam, acoustical voice analysis, and laryngeal videostroboscopic endoscopy. Three patients underwent laryngeal electromyography (EMG) evaluation. Results indicated some degree of phonatory or laryngeal deficit in all subjects. Subjects with dysphagia also demonstrated vocal fold paralysis. EMG revealed decreased recruitment and increased amplitude, findings consistent with EMG studies in skeletal muscle in postpolio patients. Results suggest that postpolio patients who complain of swallowing difficulties are at risk for laryngeal pathology.