VALUE OF VIDEOSTROBOSCOPIC PARAMETERS IN DIFFERENTIATING TRUE VOCAL FOLD CYSTS FROM POLYPS

Differentiating between benign true vocal fold (TVF) cysts, polyps, an d nodules on the basis of their gross appearance would be advantageous in determining the need for surgical therapy, A retrospective study o f 32 patients covering 31 months was done to assess the ability to dif ferentiate these lesions on the basis of stroboscopic parameters. Stro boscopic examinations were evaluated for symmetry, amplitude, periodic ity, mucosal wave, and closure. Preoperative diagnoses were validated with operative and histologic confirmation. Mucosal wave was absent or diminished in 100% of TVF cysts and present or increased in 80% of TV F polyps (P<.05). Thirty-one percent of original histopathologic diagn oses were modified after pertinent clinical information was provided t o the pathologist. Therefore, stroboscopic evaluation of mucosal wave is helpful in preoperative differentiation of TVF cysts and polyps, an d providing clinical information to the pathologist is critical for us eful histologic information.