She suffers from spasmodic dysphonia, which causes vocal cords to spasm abnormally during phonation and makes speech difficult. In the last decade, physicians have found the disorder can be treated. Dr. Robert Sinard is an assistant professor of otorhinolaryngology, who specializes in head and neck surgery. He spends much of his time operating on patients with cancer at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, the private, adult referral hospital for UT Southwestern physicians. Sinard also evaluates and treats benign voice disorders that rob people of the ability to talk in their normal voice or to talk at all.
Spasmodic dysphonia is a result of abnormal physiology.
Spasmodic dysphonia can be treated with speech therapy to teach patients to speak effectively through the spasms, anti-seizure medication to control the spasms and, most effectively, periodic injections of botulinum toxin into the larynx to weaken the muscles so the spasms are less forceful. Sinard is one of the few U.S. physicians with special training in injecting the paralyzing toxin, which is simply called botox. On the second Wednesday of every month, he treats spasmodic dysphonia patients in the Aston Center, inserting a needle into a patient's larynx and injecting the vocal cords with botox. Its side effects include a temporary weakening of the voice and occasional swallowing problems. Most patients find these to be minimal compared to the benefit achieved.