-
What is hoarseness of voice?
It is a breathy and harsh voice resulting due to an abnormality in the larynx.
What are the causes of hoarseness of voice?
Congenital:
- Laryngeal web
- Laryngeal cysts
Acquired: Neoplastic:
Benign
- Pharyngeal diverticula: Overflow of contents into larynx causes chronic irritation of the larynx and laryngitis
- Juvenile Laryngeal Papillomatosis
- Haemangioma
- Cysts of vocal cords
Malignant:
- Bronchial carcinoma: The malignancy commonly involves the mediastinum and obstructs the superior vena cava causing recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy.
- Carcinoma of vocal cords and larynx
- Thyroid carcinoma
- Oesophageal malignancies involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve
-
Inflammatory:
- Acute laryngitis
- Chronic laryngitis
- Atrophic laryngitis: It is a rare condition characterized by atrophic changes in the respiratory mucosa with mucous-producing glands
- Tuberculosis
- Singers nodules
- Diphtheria
- Leprosy
Traumatic:
- Intubation trauma
- Inhalation of foreign body
- Accidents
- Strangulation
Miscellaneous:
- Vocal cord palsy
- Laryngeal edema
- Gout
- Laryngocele
- Functional aphonia
- Reflux oesophagitis
-
What investigations are required for diagnosing the cause of hoarseness of voice?
- Blood: Routine blood investigations
- Test for diabetes, syphilis (VDRL)
- Thyroid function tests
- Indirect laryngoscopy in OPD
- Direct laryngoscopy to confirm findings
- Fiber-optic laryngoscopy helps to check the larynx closely
- Panendoscopy
- CT Scan may be useful in cases of malignancy
- Allergy Test
- Voice analysis by a Voice therapist gives a perfect picture of the voice quality
What is the treatment for hoarseness of voice?
- History: To know of any trauma and progress of the hoarseness
- ENT examination to know the cause of the hoarseness
Medical line of treatment:
- Voice rest
- Steam inhalation
- Antibiotics to control infection
- Anti-inflammatory medicines
- Low dose steroids in a tapering dose.
- Vocal Hygiene
- Voice Therapy
If there is improvement within 1 week:
- Voice Hygiene
- Voice Therapy
If there is no improvement for 2 weeks: Microlaryngoscopy with laser surgery.