Voice changes and laryngo-video-stroboscopic findings in patients with vocal fold polyps and cysts

Abstract Background Vocal fold polyps and cysts are two disorders of the minimal associated pathological lesions of the vocal folds. These disorders may be misdiagnosed by a simple laryngoscopic examination. Laryngo-video-stroboscopic (LVS) assessment is required for proper differentiation. Objectives This study aimed to examine the voice changes and LVS findings of vocal fold polyps and cysts and differentiate between them clearly, and also to determine which stroboscopic signs are correlated to the severity of dysphonia. Patients and methods This study was carried out on 47 patients; 21 of these patients (45%) were diagnosed with vocal fold cysts (group 1) and 26 patients (55%) were diagnosed with vocal fold polyps (group 2). The results of auditory perceptual assessment, LVS evaluation, and acoustic analysis of the voice were compared in both groups. The correlation between the different parameters of LVS and the grade of dysphonia was tested. Results Vocal fold polyps lead to more severe dysphonia than vocal fold cysts, proved by significant differences between both groups in the grade of dysphonia and in acoustic analysis. LVS findings differed significantly between both groups. Irregularity of the edge of the affected vocal fold, phase closure characteristics, and phase symmetry were found to be the most useful parameters for the assessment of the severity of dysphonia in these voice disorders than the amplitude of vibration. Conclusion The results of assessment of voice in vocal fold cysts and polyps are related to the nature and the pathology of the disorder. Irregular vocal fold edges in cases of vocal fold polyps and absent mucosal wave over the lesion in cases of vocal fold cysts enabled clear differentiation between them. Irregularity of the vocal fold edges and symmetry between vocal folds were stroboscopic signs correlated to the severity of dysphonia in cases of vocal fold polyps and cysts.