Aetiology

The possible aetiologies of dysphonia include:

• laryngeal disease, e.g. following a viral infection or tumour of the vocal cord
• hyperkinetic causes:
  • vocal abuse
  • chronic laryngitis
  • polyps
  • nodules
  • contact ulcers
• laryngeal structural abnormalities:
  • webs
  • anomalies
  • inflammation
  • stenosis
  • burns
  • neoplasm
• recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy
• hysteria
• nasal resonance - hyper- or hyponasality
• myopathy secondary to inhaled corticosteroids

Reference

1. Johns MM et al. Shortfalls of the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's Clinical practice guideline: Hoarseness (Dysphonia). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2010 Aug;143(2):175-7; discussion 175-80.