Endoscopic CO2 laser surgery for large internal laryngocele

The laryngocele is a benign air-filled dilatation of the saccule of the lar yngeal ventricle. Its appearance may be related to increased intralaryngeal pressure due to chronic straining. The internal laryngocele is confined to the false vocal cord, and it does not pass through the thyrohyoid membrane . The most common symptoms for internal laryngocele are hoarseness and dysp hagia. Large internal laryngoceles may also cause airway compromise, especi ally when complicated with infection. Endoscopic laser surgery is an accept able mode of treatment even for large internal laryngoceles as in the prese nt case. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.