title: Utility of voice therapy in the management of vocal fold polyps and cysts.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of voice therapy in the management of vocal fold polyps and cysts.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of vocal fold cysts and polyps undergoing voice therapy in a tertiary care center. Symptom resolution or persistence resulting in surgical intervention was the main outcome measure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-seven patients were identified, of which 49.1% achieved symptom resolution with voice therapy alone. Patients with complete glottal closure and muscle tension dysphonia did not have a better response than those with incomplete glottal closure and without muscle tension dysphonia (P = 0.1, chi(2), respectively). Patients with translucent polyps more commonly responded to voice therapy than fibrotic, hyaline, or hemorrhagic polyps, 81.8% versus 15.4% and 25.0% response rate, respectively (P = 0.002, chi(2)).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Voice therapy is an effective treatment modality for vocal fold polyps and cysts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A multidisciplinary approach including a trial of voice therapy is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Duke Voice Care Center, Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. seth.cohen@duke.edu
authors.forename: Seth M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: C Gaelyn
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Garrett
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003560:Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000502:physiology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011127:Polyps / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013070:Speech Therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D014834:Voice Training