Pseudocyst of the Vocal Fold: Distinct Disease Entity or Not? / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Koufman described a pseudocyst of the vocal folds for the first time in 2001. A pseudocyst in all parts of the body and that is related to secretory glands is already well known, but such a lesion of the vocal folds has only been mentioned a few times. It is unclear whether or not to define a pseudocyst of the vocal folds as a benign lesion of the vocal folds. The objective of this study was to introduce the demographic and clinical findings of pseudocyst and to discuss our diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: We carried out a retrospective review of all the medical records, the preoperative voice lab results and the operation records from 2006 to 2009. All the patients underwent laryngomicrosurgery due to benign vocal folds lesions. We select 11 cases that showed subepithelial lesion without a definite capsule. RESULTS: Seven patients had had the history of voice abuse. One patient has been a smoker, another was an ex-smoker and the others were non-smokers. According to aerodynamic assessment, the maximum phonation time was 14.6 seconds and the mean airflow was typically increased. On laryngoscopy, all were translucent and spherical or fusiform subepithelial lesions. The preoperative stroboscopic findings showed a uniform feature of damping on the vocal fold lesion. Both the unroofing technique and the microflap technique were used. CONCLUSION: A pseudocyst would be a subepithelial lesion without a definite epithelial lining that contains serous discharge. We suggest that a pseudocyst of the vocal fold is a new benign lesion.