Endoscopic assessment of the larynx before surgery of laryngocele

Abstract EN

To emphasize the role of endoscopy in management of laryngoceles and to review their presentation and management.

Study design: A retrospective review of charts, clinical, radiological and histopathological notes of patients with laryngocele treated over a 15 year period was undertaken.

Patients and Methods: Retrospective study revealed 9 cases diagnosed to have laryngocele, 7 male (77.7%) and 2 females (22.3%), with an age range from 34 to 64 years (average = 52.8 years).

All cases were professional voice users.

Four cases (44.4%) had internal laryngocele, 3 cases (33.3%) had external laryngocele and 2 cases (22.2%) had mixed laryngoceles.

There were 5 cases (55.6%) on the left side, 2 cases (22.2%) on the right side and 2 cases (22.2%) bilateral.

The main presentation was dysphonia in 5 cases (55.6%), neck mass in 3 cases (33.3%) and hemoptysis in 1 case (11.1%).

One case (11.1%) had laryngopyocele.

Results: Endoscopic assessment with 0° and 90° rigid telescopes were done for all cases at the beginning and at the end of the procedure.

Patients with internal laryngocele underwent endoscopic resection, while those with external or combined laryngocele were treated via external approach.

Quality of voice was improved and no recurrences were encountered during the follow-up period which ranged from 9 month to 5 years.

No evidence of laryngeal cancer was found on the histological examinations but we encounter a case of scleroma.

Conclusion: Endoscopic evaluation of the larynx helps in diagnosis of hidden pathology and in resection of internal laryngocele.

Laryngoceles can occur not only due to positive intralaryngeal pressure but also due to the presence of hidden pathology in the laryngeal ventricle.