Vocal Cord Polyps, Granulomas and Cysts

If voice strain continues, several permanent pathological changes can occur: vocal cord nodules and later polyps can develop, which change the voice quality.

Other changes are granulomas, which is a focus of inflammatory tissue. This can bleed with further voice strain, lead to coughing and chronic attempts to clear the throat. Other pathology that may be found in these cases are cysts. At this point it is best to have the patient referred to an ENT specialist as laryngoscopy with a fiberoptic instrument likely needs to be done to visualize, possibly biopsy and treat these lesions. Smoking cessation and anti-acid reflux medicine, if applicable, will also likely be prescribed (Ref. 2, p. 1763).

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Disclaimer:

This outline is only a teaching aid to patients and should stimulate you to ask the right questions when seeing your doctor. However, the responsibility of treatment stays in the hands of your doctor and you.

References:

1. James Chin et al., Editors: Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, 17th edition, 2000, American Public Health Association.

2. Behrman: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics, 16th ed., 2000, W. B. Saunders Company

4. Noble: Textbook of Primary Care Medicine, 3rd ed.,2001 Mosby, Inc.

5. Abeloff: Clinical Oncology, 2nd ed.,2000,Churchill Livingstone, Inc.

Last Modified: Feb. 2, 2008