Clinical Utility of Electroglottography and Videostroboscopy: A Correlational Study

Abstract

Voice serves as a unique identity of an individual which is derived from laryngeal features. Any deviance in the voice quality is considered abnormal and thus seeks clinical attention. Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) plays an important role in the assessment and diagnosis of voice-related disorders. Although perceptual evaluation is a gold standard, objective methods augment the accuracy of the diagnosis of voice disorders. Electroglottography (EGG) is one such commonly used non-invasive objective method which provides physiological information about vocal fold movements. Videostroboscopy is an objective method which aids SLPs to visualize the structure and function of the larynx during phonation; however, it is not easily available to SLPs. Various voice disorders yield varied and distinct structural and physiological mechanism which leads to a specific type of morphology of EGG waveform. However, a valid correlation between EGG waveforms and videostroboscopy findings would facilitate speech-language pathologists in the diagnosis of voice disorders. With evidence from videostroboscopy of various vocal pathologies, this study attempts to correlate the EGG findings.