GRANULOMA

A granuloma of the vocal fold, or a vocal process granuloma, is an inflammatory lesion. These lesions typically occur on the back, or posterior, portion of the vocal folds.

Causes of a vocal fold granuloma may include:

• Chronic voice overuse
• Voice misuse
• Intubation – placement of a breathing tube through the vocal folds can cause formation of granulomas
• Vocal fold weakness – with strain, vocal process granuloma can occur

Symptoms of granulomas include:

• Hoarseness
• Rough voice
• Vocal fatigue, or tiring with overuse
• Chronic cough
• Tickle in the throat

Diagnosis:
Diangosis of granuloma is made during laryngoscopy and stroboscopy.

Granulomas on both vocal folds are noted. This occurred after this patient was intubated for a short period of time. Steroid injections were necessary to reduce the size of these growths.

Treatment for Granuloma:

A vocal fold granuloma is first treated with voice rest, often times for weeks. This causes less stress on the vocal folds, allowing granulomas to heal.

A steroid injection into the granuloma may help decrease the size of the granuloma. This may be performed as an in-office procedure.

During surgery a granuloma may be easily removed. However, granulomas often quickly recur despite excision – thus surgery is reserved only in cases where a granuloma is large enough to cause shortness of breath.