Changes in speech charactersitics post thymoma

Abstract

Thymomas are rare tumors of the anterior mediastinum that may be benign or malignant. Thymomas are frequently associated with neuromuscular disorders like myasthenia gravis. Multiple cranial nerves are involved which may affect speech of the patients. Flaccid dysarthria is one of the common motor speech disorders associated with thymoma. Other characteristics may include decrease of intelligibility, reduced vocal stamina, reduction of emotional expressivity etc. The present case study illustrates changes in speech characteristics in a 35 year old male patient with thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis. Detailed speech assessment was done which revealed deviant speech patterns like vocal tremors, decreased loudness, hypernasality etc. The aim of the study was to document speech characteristics in a known case of thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis.