Clinical Analysis of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions with Occult Sulcus Vocalis

Abstract

Purpose: To discuss the correlation between benign vocal fold lesions and sulcus vocalis.

Methods: Analysis of the surgical data of 457 patients with benign vocal fold lesions and occult sulcus vocalis and preoperative voice evaluation and postoperative follow-up data from collected patients.

Results: A total of 61.7% of the patients had bilateral sulcus vocalis. Of the patients with bilateral sulcus vocalis, 64.9% had bilateral benign vocal fold lesions, and 35.1% had unilateral vocal fold benign lesions. Of the patients with unilateral sulcus vocalis, 74.3% showed associated ipsilateral vocal fold benign lesions, and 22.3% showed associated contralateral vocal fold lesions. In the 739 sides affected by sulcus vocalis, 255 sides of sulcus vocalis type I were not treated. There were 11 cases with 13 sides affected by mucosal bridges. The satisfaction rate for sound improvement was 79.6% by half a year after the operation.

Conclusion: The occurrence of benign vocal fold lesions may be related to occult sulcus vocalis. We should attach importance to the treatment of sulcus vocalis in the diagnosis and treatment of vocal fold diseases.

Keywords: Mucosal bridges; Sulcus Vocalis; Vocal fold cysts; Vocal fold leukoplakia; Vocal fold polyps.