Vocal Fold Cysts: An Analysis of Flexible Fibreoptic Laryngoscopic Findings

Abstract

Vocal fold cysts are benign laryngeal lesions, which affect both children and adults.Diagnosis is by flexible laryngoscopy and videostroboscopy. This study is a retrospective analysis of videos of flexible laryngoscopic findings of 84 cases of vocal fold cysts. In our study, majority of patients were in adult age group. On flexible laryngoscopy, almost all of the cysts were unilateral.Most common site of origin was the medial margin of the vocal folds.Thin walled and thick walled cysts were almost equal in number.On stroboscopic examination,mucosal waves were absent over the cyst in all cases. Hourglass shaped phonatory gap was most commonly seen. Ventricular band hyperadduction (Type 2 MTD) was seen commonly as a compensatory maneuver. Interarytenoid pachydermia was present in around 70 % patients which indicates a high association of laryngopharyngeal reflux with vocal fold cyst.