Pathway to the Symptom Tree

• In order to make sense of many symptoms, a useful framework classifies symptoms according to categories that facilitate identification of cause or diagnosis of the problem in the larynx.
• As with branches of a tree, there are several levels of categories going from "main branches to smaller branches" – from main categories to more specific categories.

• Symptom clusters can have overlapping symptoms.
• Symptom clusters list most possible symptoms.
• Patients with identical voice disorders can present with varying combinations of symptoms from the disorder's typical symptom cluster – a symptom cluster represents some or all of a patient's complaints at any one time.

• Depending on severity, a particular cause of voice disorder may present with different symptom clusters – a cause may be listed in more than one symptom cluster.
  
  Key Information

  Voice disorders with multiple causes often occur – hence it is not uncommon that patients recognize that their voice problem spans multiple symptom clusters and causes.
  
  
  Advisory Note

  Multifactorial voice disorders are best discussed with a Voice Care professional.
  
  

• Associated clues are typical-case examples, neither all inclusive or exclusive.
• Associated clues can have some overlaps with different voice disorders.
• Associated clues do not simply add up in multifactorial voice disorders (resulting from a combination of causes). Often, the resulting multifactorial voice disorder becomes more complex making them harder to diagnose and treat.
• Although associated clues represent typical case scenarios, each person's voice disorder is unique and patient specific needs must be addressed.