Granuloma of the membranous vocal fold: an unusual complication of microlaryngoscopic surgery. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVES: We describe the clinical features of granuloma of the membranous vocal fold (as opposed to granuloma of the vocal process, or "contact granuloma"), a poorly recognized sequela of microlaryngoscopic surgery. Membranous vocal fold granuloma may mimic the initial lesion in appearance, and thus be mistaken for recurrence. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of cases from 2 institutions. RESULTS: Fifteen cases of membranous vocal fold granuloma from 2 institutions were identified. In all but 1 case, granuloma developed in the early postoperative period, within 8 weeks. Of the 15 cases, 10 followed laser resection of carcinoma. Five were noted following cold steel resection of benign lesions (2 papillomas, 2 cysts, 1 Reinke's edema). Technical aspects of these cases suggest that membranous vocal fold granulomas result from surgical violation of deep tissue planes and/or epithelial defects. All patients were treated with proton pump inhibitors. In 12 cases, the granulomas proved self-limited, resolving over weeks to months following surgery. Three patients underwent surgical removal of the lesion, which confirmed the diagnosis. One of these cases recurred and was treated nonsurgically. CONCLUSIONS: Granuloma should be suspected when a mass lesion appears at the surgical site early in the postoperative course. Surgical excision is generally not necessary and may provoke further growth of granulation tissue.

publication date

  • May 1, 2007

Research

keywords

  • Granuloma
  • Laryngeal Diseases
  • Laryngoscopy
  • Vocal Cords

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 34249031493

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1177/000348940711600507

PubMed ID

  • 17561764

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 116

issue

  • 5