Vocal cord polyps and nodules

What it is

Vocal cord polyps and nodules are manifestations of chronic vocal fold irritation.

Causes and risk

Two groups of cause are listed. The first is voice strain, that is muscle tension dysphonia. The second is laryngeal irritants: GERD, allergies and smoking.

The voice strain route has a familiar history. A 42 year old female teacher with no background of note may come to the ENT outpatient clinic with a 3 month history of hoarseness of voice that has not worsened since it began, and on further questioning she often has to yell at her students. In such a history there are no previous surgeries in the neck and no family history of cancer, and neck and oral examination reveal no masses.