[Phoniatric and laryngologic symptoms in motor neuron disease (MND)].

INTRODUCTION: Motor neuron disease is a progressive neurologic disorder characterized by degeneration of motor neurons in the cerebral cortex, brain stem and spinal cord.

THE AIM OF THIS STUDY: Was to present methods of therapy and rehabilitation in patients with MND and the role of phoniatrician and otolaryngologist in diagnostic and therapeutic process. MATERIAL AND METHOD, RESULTS: The material of present study consists of 3 patients in the age of 38 to 55 who were admitted to The Institute of Physiology and Pathology of Hearing in Warsaw, Poland. Patients underwent laryngological, phoniatric and neurologopedics examinations. They were treated with phoniatric and logopedics rehabilitation strategy applying manual therapy of voice, speech exercises and courses of physiotherapy. As a result of therapeutical management, quality of speech and voice were improved.

CONCLUSIONS: 1. Disorders of voice and speech may be early symptoms of motor neuron disease; 2. Patients with motor neuron disease require multidisciplinary therapy, including otolaryngologists and phoniatricians; 3. Acoustic analysis of voice (MDVP) presents more often disorders in frequency range than amplitude changes; 4. Intensive and regular excercises are crucial for the improvement in speech communication.