The potential role of ultrasound in differentiating solid and cystic swellings of the true vocal fold.
This study was designed to investigate the potential role of ultrasound in the diagnosis of cysts of the true vocal fold.


METHODS
Grayscale ultrasound of the larynx was carried out in 29 patients with a swelling of the true vocal fold and dysphonia. The findings were then compared with those at subsequent microlaryngoscopy, in the majority of cases.


CONCLUSIONS
Whereas preoperative laryngeal ultrasound correctly predicted the surgical findings of a cystic lesion in only 5 of 11 cases, it correctly identified that no cyst was present in 15 of 16 instances when this had been queried. This study suggests that ultrasound may have some role in investigation of unilateral vocal fold pathology, but that further fine-tuning of the technique may be necessary.
Rubin
John S
JS
Royal National Throat, Nose, and Ear Hospital, London, UK. johnrubin@tiscali.co.uk
Lee
Stuart
S
McGuinness
John
J
Hore
Ian
I
Hill
David
D
Berger
Leslie
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D003560:Cysts / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*