Role of microlaryngoscopy in the management of laryngeal lesions

ABSTRACT

1. To evaluate the role of microlaryngoscopy in the management of various laryngeal pathologies. 2. to enlist the various laryngeal lesions causing hoarseness and their presentation. Descriptive study. This study was conducted in ENT, Head and Neck Surgery department, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from 1[st] September 2000 to 31st December 2002. A series of 70 patients of laryngeal pathologies were included in this study. A thorough history was taken and clinical examination performed, only relevant laboratory investigations were done. CT scan /MRI was done in selected cases for extension of the lesion like carcinoma to nearby structures so that later if the lesion requires endolaryngeal microsurgical intervention, appropriate and precise excision of the lesion be carried out. Microlaryngoscopy was performed in all cases and for diagnostic purposes biopsy was taken for histopathology. 32.85% of the patients with vocal cord nodules, 17.14% with vocal cord polyps and 4.2% with Reinke's edema were treated with microlaryngoscopy. Laser was used along with microlaryngoscopy for laryngeal papillomas in 11.42% and laryngeal granulomas in 2.8%. Microlaryngoscopy was helpful not only in the diagnosis of small vocal lesions but also in the surgical management of these lesions with good post operative functional results. Microlaryngoscopy plays an important role in the diagnosis of a variety of laryngeal lesions especially in all cases that are examined on indirect laryngoscopy, where diagnosis is not clear or needs biopsy for histopathology, Moreover it has got both diagnostic and therapeutic role in laryngeal pathologies. Therefore the facility and expertise should be provided so that an early diagnosis can be made and late untoward complications can be avoided