Dysphonia ; Humans ; Vocal Cords ; Voice Disorders

OBJECTIVETo analyze the pathogenesis and clinical features of the vocal fold white lesions, and to investigate the principles of the diagnosis and treatment.

METHODSOne hundred and fifty-six cases of vocal fold white lesions encountered between January 2006 and December 2013 were analyzed. All patients had bilateral-vocal folds whitening under laryngoscopic examination, and all the patients had been observed over three months. There were 135 males and 21 females in the study, the age ranged from 18 to 60 years, with the mean age of (38.8±8.1) years old. All patients had a history of vocal abuse, with moderate-severe degree of voice disorder.

RESULTSAfter a month of voice rest and suitable treatment, the result of reexamination showed that the symptoms faded away in 81 cases (51.9%), with the voice recuperated; the range of white lesion was reduced with the voice improving in 71 cases (45.4%); the range of white lesion was not obviously changed in 4 cases (2.6%), the pathological examination in these 4 cases showed moderate-severe dysplasia in two cases, and the surgical treatment was applied for them. Two months later, the reexamination showed 26 male cases still had vocal fold white lesion with various degree; and three months later, only 7 male cases retained mild vocal fold white lesion.

CONCLUSIONHistopathologically, not all vocal fold white lesions were laryngeal precancerous lesions, and not all of these patients should be treated surgically.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Laryngeal Diseases ; pathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Laryngoscopy ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Vocal Cords ; pathology ; Voice Disorders ; surgery ; therapy ; Young Adult