Strobovideolaryngoscopy has proven essential to accurate diagnosis of
voice disorders. Clinical interpretation of stroboscopic images usuall
y follows a standard assessment protocol. Features analyzed typically
include symmetry of amplitude, symmetry of phase, regularity of period
icity, amplitudes and wave forms of individual vocal folds, presence o
r absence of adynamic segments, and other features. Speed and smoothne
ss of abduction and adduction are also assessed. In order for strobosc
opic data to be used meaningfully in a clinical setting, it is essenti
al for the laryngologist to recognize the range of normal variability
of these parameters. This may be particularly important when trying to
establish diagnoses for subtle voice disorders in professional voice
users. This study investigates strobovideoiaryngoscopic findings in a
population of normal professional singers without voice complaints. ''
Abnormal'' strobovideolaryngoscopic findings occur in this asymptomati
c population of ''volunteers.'' These abnormalities might have been mi
sinterpreted as causing voice complaints if seen for the first time wh
en the singer sought medical care for a voice problem. Physicians must
be aware of the range of laryngeal behavior that may be found among n
ormal subjects and must be cautious when interpreting strobovideolaryn
goscopic findings. This study also highlights the importance of obtain
ing ''normal'' baseline strobovideolaryngoscopic evaluations on profes
sional voice users. The review of strobovideolaryngoscopy performed up
on 65 healthy, asymptomatic professional singers revealed an incidence
of 58% ''abnormal'' findings as six clinical entities.