Treatment of Vocal Cord Cyst

About the disease

Vocal cord cyst is a benign growth on the vocal cords, which are responsible for modulating the airflow from the lungs during phonation and are one of the factors needed for producing the voice. Vocal cord cyst develops because of an infection or if there was long-term misuse of the vocal cords. It is more common in people who use their voice professionally.

Comparatively to other growths that can develop on the vocal cord, such as polyps and nodules, cysts are less dangerous and easier to cure, but they also need to be treated to avoid further complications.

Vocal cord cyst types

• Mucous retention cyst originate in the respiratory tract cells and are filled with water
• Squamous cysts develop in the epidermal cells
• Oncocytic cysts occur in the salivary gland cells. They are the most rarest  vocal cord cysts.

Vocal cord cyst treatment proved to be highly efficient with 80% of patient completely restoring vocal function and with 20% of patient requiring further surgery due to post-surgical scarring or polyps, which developed later in patient`s life.

Symptoms

• Pain in the throat
• Hoarseness
• Decreased voice range
• Sudden voice loss
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Change of singing pitch

Diagnosis

• Laryngoscopy is the most-used method for vocal cord cyst diagnosis. During this procedure a doctor uses special tube with a light to examine closely the vocal cord and determine type of growth.
• Physical test can also determine the extent of damage to the vocal cord. Patient may be asked to increase or lower his voice to see the voice pitch.
• Scanning tests are used rarely to examine vocal cords on a deeper level.

Treatment

• Vocal therapy is used to minimize inflammation and swelling. It is usually performed before the surgery to make it more efficient. During such therapy patient also needs to do special voice exercise and allow the vocal cord to rest. 
• Surgical resection of the cyst is commonly used to eliminate the cyst. Surgery as a treatment for this condition is used if the voice is severely damaged. During this procedure, surgeon uses microflap technique. This technique is used to allow the surgeon preserve as much of a vocal cord as possible and to avoid further scarring of the glottis. After surgical resection, you may need to abstain from speaking for several days to allow the vocal cords heal and recover.

Overall, after surgery patients are able not only use their voice as they did in their everyday life, but also return to their professional activities, if they are singers or actors. 

Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Farrukh Ahmed