The vocal cords are located in the area of the larynx and their correct function plays a decisive role in phonation. The vocal cords are two bands of smooth muscle tissue covered by epithelium. The vibration of the vocal cords produces the voice. If there is a disturbance in them, the normal production of the voice may be hindered. The vocal cords can be affected by various conditions, such as the appearance of abnormal growths on their surface or their paralysis. Diseases that affect the vocal cords include polyps, nodules, cysts, neoplasms, benign or malignant, as well as their paralysis.
Vocal cords’ conditions: Vocal cord nodules
Vocal cord nodules are small, hard growths caused by injury to the vocal cords due to excessive or incorrect use of the voice. They usually occur in pairs, with a nodule developing on each vocal cord. They manifest with symptoms that include hoarseness, a feeling of dryness and a foreign body in the throat. Singers may also notice a loss of vocal range.
Polyps formation on the vocal cords
Polyps in this area are small, soft growths that usually appear in the middle of one vocal cord. They are most often caused by vocal abuse or long-term exposure to irritants such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), chemical fumes, or cigarette smoke. Polyps are not a precancerous lesion but a benign growth, which causes obstacles to the smooth production of the voice in combination with hoarseness and shortness of breath.
Vocal cords cysts and neoplasms
Vocal cord cysts are, similarly to nodules and polyps, benign lesions, which, however, are not related to excessive or inappropriate use of the voice. On the contrary, they manifest themselves as a consequence of the obstruction of the mucous glands of the vocal cords. Occasionally one of these glands does not drain properly and fluid accumulates, which favors the development of a cyst. Vocal cord cysts occur as a collection of fluid in a sac-like structure in the body of the vocal cord. The symptoms of the condition include the inability to speak, hoarseness, sore throat, the development of a feeling of dryness or the presence of a foreign body in the throat.
Vocal cords’ conditions: Neoplasms & malignancy
Neoplasms, i.e. tumors in the vocal cords, can be cancerous or benign. Cancerous tumors are life-threatening if not detected and treated early. Alcohol consumption and smoking are aggravating factors for the development of malignancy.
Vocal cord paralysis
Vocal cord paralysis presents with immobility of one or both vocal cords. If both vocal cords become paralysed and remain closed, breathing becomes significantly more difficult. Vocal cord paralysis is often caused as a consequence of some surgical trauma, usually after thyroid surgery. In fact, thyroidectomy is the most common cause of bilateral vocal cord paralysis. A neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease or multiple sclerosis, a stroke, a tumor or a viral infection are also causes of the condition.
Vocal cords’ diseases: Diagnosis & treatment
In the event that the vocal cords develop any of the aforementioned conditions, immediate diagnosis and treatment are imperative, in order to avoid permanent damage. The diagnosis of diseases of the vocal cords is carried out by laryngoscopy. Laryngoscopy is an endoscopic technique that contributes to the thorough control of the area of the larynx and vocal cords, providing immediate visualization of any pathology.
In the event that diseases related to voice abuse develop in the vocal cords, in the firs t stage, conservative treatment can be applied with rest of the voice (aphonia) or with voice therapy. However, advanced cases of vocal cord disease are treated surgically with microlaryngoscopy, as this procedure allows the removal of lesions and small tumors in the area of the larynx and vocal cords. In case of paralysis of both vocal cords, the appropriate surgical technique is chordectomy. During the procedure, a section of one vocal cord is removed to widen the glottis and facilitate breathing. Chorectomy can be performed either with traditional surgical techniques or endoscopically using a carbon dioxide (CO2) laser. Chordectomy surgery with Laser CO2 is indicated for the treatment of both paralysis of the vocal cords and for the removal of small tumors in the area of the larynx. If diseases develop in the vocal cords that affect the patient’s daily life, ENT Surgeon in Athens Dr. Olga Papadopoulou applies the most modern techniques for their diagnosis and successful treatment.