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Objectives Respiratory, voice, and swallowing difficulties after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) may result secondary to upper airway disease from prolonged intubation or mechanisms related to the virus itself. We examined a cohort who presented with new laryngeal complaints following documented SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We characterized their voice, airway, and/or swallowing symptoms and reviewed the clinical course of their complaints to understand how the natural history of these symptoms relates to COVID‐19 infections. Methods Retrospective review of patients who presented to our department with upper aerodigestive complaints as sequelae of prior infection with, and management of, SARS‐CoV‐2. Results Eighty‐one patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 54.23 years (±17.36). Most common presenting symptoms were dysphonia (n = 58, 71.6%), dysphagia/odynophagia (n = 16, 19.75%), and sore throat (n = 9, 11.11%). Thirty‐one patients (38.27%) presented after intubation. Mean length of intubation was 16.85 days (range 1–35). Eighteen patients underwent tracheostomy and were decannulated after an average of 70.69 days (range 23–160). Patients with history of intubation were significantly more likely than nonintubated patients to be diagnosed with a granuloma (8 vs. 0, respectively, p < .01). Fifty patients (61.73%) were treated for SARS‐CoV‐2 without requiring intubation and were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with muscle tension dysphonia (19 vs. 1, p < .01) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (18 vs. 1, p < .01). Conclusion In patients with persistent dyspnea, dysphonia, or dysphagia after recovering from SARS‐CoV‐2, early otolaryngology consultation should be considered. Accurate diagnosis and prompt management of these common underlying etiologies may improve long‐term patient outcomes. Level of evidence 4

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Objective: Evidence demonstrates neurotropism is a common feature of coronaviruses. In our laryngology clinics we have noted an increase in cases of “idiopathic” vocal fold paralysis and paresis in patients with no history of intubation who are recovering from the novel SARS-Cov-2 coronavirus (COVID-19). This finding is concerning for a post-viral vagal neuropathy (PVVN) as a result of infection with COVID-19. Our objective is to raise the possibility that vocal fold paresis may be an additional neuropathic sequela of infection with COVID-19. Methods: Retrospective review of patients who tested positive for COVID-19, had no history of intubation as a result of their infection, and subsequently presented with vocal fold paresis between May 2020 and January 2021. Charts were reviewed for demographic information, confirmation of COVID-19 infection, presenting symptoms, laryngoscopy and stroboscopy exam findings, and laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) results. Results: Sixteen patients presented with new-onset dysphonia during and after recovering from a COVID-19 infection and were found to have unilateral or bilateral vocal fold paresis or paralysis. LEMG was performed in 25% of patients and confirmed the diagnosis of neuropathy in these cases. Conclusions: We believe that COVID-19 can cause a PVVN resulting in abnormal vocal fold mobility. This diagnosis should be included in the constellation of morbidities that can result from COVID-19 as the otolaryngologist can identify this entity through careful history and examination.

ObjectivesGains in pitch from gender affirming voice training (GVT) alone in trans women have historically been shown to decline after 1 year. Currently no standard exists for length and type of GVT that yields meaningful behavioral change and patient satisfaction with voice outcomes in trans women. This study aims to determine whether GVT alone leads to sustained pitch elevation and patient satisfaction in trans women.MethodsRetrospective review from 2016 to 2020 of trans women patients who underwent GVT alone for voice change. Charts were reviewed for acoustic analysis of pitch including sustained vowel fundamental frequency, speaking fundamental frequency, and quality of life data from the Trans Woman Voice Questionnaire at pre‐therapy, immediate post‐therapy, and extended post‐therapy time intervals.ResultsA total of 157 patients presented to our Voice Center, of which 34 participated in the full course of GVT. Patients underwent an average of six sessions of GVT (range 5–7) over an average of 13.14 weeks (range 6–16). Average time between completing GVT and presenting for extended follow‐up was 11.37 months (range 6–31). Compared to initial presentation prior to therapy, at extended follow‐up after completing GVT average change in F0/a/, SF0, and TWVQ were 64.6 Hz, 31.3 Hz, and 32.45. No significant change was noted between immediate post‐therapy and extended post‐therapy acoustic measures. TWVQ demonstrated continued improvement between immediate post‐therapy and extended post‐therapy.ConclusionsIn self‐selected patients who present for extended follow‐up, GVT alone can result in sustained pitch elevation and voice‐related quality life in trans women.Level of Evidence4 Laryngoscope, 133:2340–2345, 2023