Spontaneous Vocal Fold Polyps Remission after Lockdown for Covid-19 Pandemic: Does Vocal Load Matter?

Abstract

Objective: During the Italian lockdown for Covid-19 emergency, due to stay-at-home orders, many people experienced an unusual period of voice rest. The present case series aims at reporting the spontaneous regression of some vocal fold polyps during the Italian lockdown for SARS-CoV2 pandemic.

Methods: Five patients with voice complaints presenting to a tertiary referral center and diagnosed with vocal fold polyps before the lockdown were included. Because of the lockdown restrictive measures, planned elective surgical procedures were suspended. The patients were re-assessed immediately after lockdown. Multidimensional voice assessments were conducted before and after the lockdown period through laryngostroboscopies, perceptual voice evaluations, electroacoustic analysis and self assessments.

Results: The patients included in the present case series experienced a complete or nearly complete remission of symptoms. Videolaryngostroboscopies documented a complete or nearly complete regression of the polyps. Voices considerably improved both perceptually and electroacoustically. Self assessments showed a reduction of voice-related complaints.

Conclusions: The present study suggests that daily vocal load reduction may play a critical role in the conservative management of vocal fold polyps.

Keywords: Covid-19; Lockdown; Remission; SARS-CoV2; Vocal fold polyps; Vocal load.

Figure 1

Endoscopic (right column) and spectrographic (left column) findings before and after lockdown. A: right gelatinous sessile polyp showing complete remission. B: left gelatinous sessile polyp showing complete remission. C: right pedunculated gelatinous polyp with contralateral haemorrhagic lesion showing nearly complete remission. D: right haemorrhagic sessile vocal fold polyp showing nearly complete remission. E: right haemorrhagic sessile vocal fold polyp with contralateral nodular lesion showing complete remission. Spectrograms represent 3 seconds of sustained /a/ vowels, displayed with a frequency range of 0-5000 Hz and calculated with a 0.05 seconds window length and a 45 dB dynamic range.