This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Objectives/Hypothesis Singers have high vocal demands and are at increased risk of developing voice disorders. Different singing genres place different technical demands on the voice. However, differences in laryngeal pathology based on genre have not been well‐researched. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of laryngeal pathology in different genres of professional and amateur singers who present with a voice complaint. Study Design Retrospective review. Methods Retrospective review of patients seen at a tertiary laryngology practice. Self‐identified singers who reported their primary singing genre and categorized their singing as a full‐time job, part‐time job, or amateur involvement were included. Type and prevalence of pathology were calculated based on genre and professional status. Results Of the 302 self‐identified singers, 54% (n = 164) had laryngeal pathology. Among those with pathology, the most common finding was fibrotic lesion (38.4%, 63/164). Genres in which a majority of singers had pathology were other (69.2%, 9/13), choral (64.7%, 11/17), pop (63.2%, 12/19), musical theater (61.4%, 43/70), country (100%, 4/4), and Latin (100%, 2/2). The highest prevalence of pathology was seen in part‐time professional singers (62.2%, 41/66) and full‐time professionals (60.8%, 62/102), compared to amateurs (45.1%, 60/133). Conclusions Laryngeal pathology is prevalent in singers presenting with a voice complaint. Regardless of genre or professional status, fibrotic lesions were the most common pathological finding. This study provides preliminary data on the prevalence of different laryngeal pathologies found in singers by genre and degree of professional involvement. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope, 131:2076–2080, 2021

No abstract

ObjectiveTo determine if metal reduction magnetic resonance imaging sequences and changes in implant placement minimize artifact from cochlear implants and improve visualization of intracranial structures.Study DesignCadaveric study.SettingTertiary referral center.PatientsFive cadaveric heads.InterventionsSpecimens were implanted with Advanced Bionics HiRes Ultra3D devices at nasion-external auditory canal angles of 90, 120, and 160 degrees, and distances from the external auditory canal of 9 or 12 cm. Standard brain/internal auditory canal (IAC) sequences with metal artifact reducing technique were acquired in a 1.5T scanner.Main Outcome MeasuresThe primary outcome was visibility of 14 intracranial structures graded on a 4-point scale (1, structures <50% visible; 2, >50% visible with some areas nonvisible from artifact; 3, artifact present but adequate for diagnosis; and 4, high quality). Scores were determined by experienced head and neck radiologists and compared with one-way analysis of variance.ResultsImaging sequences included axial 5-mm whole-brain turbo spin echo (TSE) T2 with right to left and anterior to posterior encoding, fluid-attenuation inversion recovery high bandwidth, axial 5-mm whole-brain slice-encoding metal artifact correction (SEMAC), axial IAC constructive interference in steady state, and axial 3-mm T1 IAC with and without fat saturation. T1 IACs in axial and coronal planes were best for ipsilateral structures overall (mean [standard deviation {SD}], 3.8 [0.6] and 3.8 [0.5]). SEMAC (mean [SD], 3.5 [0.8]) was superior to TSE with anterior to posterior encoding (mean [SD], 3.5 [0.9) for ipsilateral cortex, cerebellopontine angle, and brainstem/cerebellum, and equivalent for the inner ear. Constructive interference in steady state and T1 with fat saturation were poor for all ipsilateral structures (mean, 2.8 [p < 0.01]; mean, 3.1 [p < 0.01]). The 120 degrees/12 cm position was overall best, although the 120 degrees/9 cm position still afforded visualization of ipsilateral structures; other angles and distances conferred slight advantages for specific structures of interest.ConclusionsSEMAC and T2 TSE with anterior to posterior encoding sequences provide artifact suppression while retaining excellent image quality. Different placement angles did not confer improvement in visualization, although placement distances provided slight advantages for some structures.

No abstract