Unsuspected Intraoperative Finding of Structural Abnormalities Associated With Vocal Fold Polyps

Summary Objectives To report the findings of unsuspected underlying concurrent abnormalities of the vocal fold (VF) associated with polyps. Study Design and Setting Retrospective chart review at tertiary teaching institution. Subjects and Methods Operative and clinical notes of 81 adults submitted to suspension laryngoscopy for vocal fold polyp (VFP) excision from 1998 to 2007, which had no previous report of associated structural abnormalities. Results Associated lesions were described in 54 patients (67%) (35 contralateral, 16 ipsilateral, and three bilateral): 18 reactive nodules, 21 sulcus vocalis, five cysts, two microwebs, and eight capillary ectasias. A positive correlation was found between the presence of polyps and associated structural abnormalities ( r = 0.0035; P < 0.05). Conclusions The high incidence of concurrent previously unsuspected VF lesions suggests that either these minor underlying anatomical deviations render the VF more vulnerable to vocal abuse, or that phonotrauma may cause a number of VF lesions that can lead to dysphonia.