Section 19. Ear, Nose, and Throat Disorders

Chapter 222. Throat Disorders

Topics: Introduction | Tonsillar Cellulitis and Abscess | Epiglottitis | Laryngitis | Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps | Contact Ulcers of the Vocal Cords | Vocal Cord Paralysis | Laryngoceles

Vocal Cord Nodules and Polyps

Vocal cord nodules and polyps are noncancerous growths that produce hoarseness.

See the figure Vocal Cord Problems.

Vocal cord nodules and polyps are similar conditions that develop mainly from abuse of the voice (prolonged singing or shouting). Chronic irritation of the larynx, such as occurs with inhalation of cigarette smoke or industrial fumes, or backflow (reflux) of stomach acid at night may also cause a nodule or polyp to form. The growths are similar, but polyps tend to be larger and protrude somewhat more than nodules.

Symptoms include chronic hoarseness and a breathy voice, which tend to develop over days to weeks. A doctor makes the diagnosis by examining the vocal cords with a thin, flexible viewing tube. Sometimes the doctor removes a small piece of tissue for examination under a microscope (biopsy) to make sure the growth is not cancerous.

Treatment is to avoid whatever is irritating the larynx and rest the voice. If abuse of the voice is the cause, voice therapy conducted by a speech therapist may be needed to teach the person how to speak or sing without straining the vocal cords. Most nodules go away with this treatment, but most polyps must be surgically removed to restore the person's normal voice.