Miniseminar: New Concepts in Pediatric Dysphonia and Dysphagia

Abstract Diagnostic strategies and treatment algorithms for pediatric dysphonia and dysphagia have undergone significant changes in recent years. With these new techniques, otolaryngologists play an increasing role in the diagnosis and management of children with these conditions, often in a multidisciplinary fashion. The miniseminar’s format will be that of a multidisciplinary interactive panel of experts from the fields of pediatric otolaryngology, pediatric speech pathology, and pediatric gastroenterology. New technology and new approaches to using existing technology in the evaluation of patients with pediatric dysphonia and dysphagia will be discussed. Discussions will focus on pediatric video-stroboscopy, voice analysis, fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and sensory testing, video-fluoroscopic evaluation of swallowing, and esophageal manometry. In addition, the panel will discuss use of these tools and their management of patients with pediatric voice disorders and pediatric swallowing dysfunction with an emphasis on paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction, vocal fold paralysis, children with neurologically impaired swallow, cricopharyngeal dysfunction, and esophageal dysmotility. The moderator will provide additional points of interest regarding each of these topics and audience participation will be encourage through an interactive format. We plan a pre- and postpresentation audience survey to assess the program’s educational impact.