Vocal polyp

Vocal polyp is a type of noncancerous growth on the vocal folds (formerly known as vocal cords) similar to a vocal nodule but softer and more like a blister than a callous.

Risk factors

They can be caused by smoking, misusing or overusing the voice, or other factors. 

Diagnosis

• Diagnosis is with a comprehensive analysis of medical and voice history, a physical examination of the head and neck.
• Other tests include perceptual evaluation of voice, and visualization of the vocal folds.
• Visualization is considered to be the main method of diagnosis
• Laryngeal videostroboscopy, an imaging technique, is commonly used to view the vocal folds

Treatment

Treatment is often supportive unless the symptoms are persistent and involve behavioral voice therapy and laryngeal microsurgery. Because of general risks of surgery non invasive behavioral treatment is usually recommended first.

Prognosis

The prognosis of requiring surgery would only occur after an exhaustive attempt at non-surgical therapy techniques has been applied.

ICD coding

ICD 10 CM - J38.1 Polyp of vocal cord and larynx. Polyp of vocal cord and larynx is a topic covered in the ICD-10-CM.

Specialists involved

ENT surgeons, Head and neck surgeons, speech pathologists etc.

Vocal polyp Resources
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