title: Unsuspected intraoperative finding of structural abnormalities associated with vocal fold polyps.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report the findings of unsuspected underlying concurrent abnormalities of the vocal fold (VF) associated with polyps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective chart review at tertiary teaching institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  Operative and clinical notes of 81 adults submitted to suspension laryngoscopy for vocal fold polyp (VFP) excision from 1998 to 2007, which had no previous report of associated structural abnormalities.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Associated lesions were described in 54 patients (67%) (35 contralateral, 16 ipsilateral, and three bilateral): 18 reactive nodules, 21 sulcus vocalis, five cysts, two microwebs, and eight capillary ectasias. A positive correlation was found between the presence of polyps and associated structural abnormalities (r=0.0035; P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The high incidence of concurrent previously unsuspected VF lesions suggests that either these minor underlying anatomical deviations render the VF more vulnerable to vocal abuse, or that phonotrauma may cause a number of VF lesions that can lead to dysphonia.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Department, Santa Casa School of Medicine and Hospitals, São Paulo, Brazil. ceckley@unisys.com.br
authors.forename: Claudia Alessandra
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Eckley
authors.forename: Marco Antonio
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Corvo
authors.forename: Rodrigo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yoshimi
authors.forename: João
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Swensson
authors.forename: André de Campos
authors.initials: Ade C
authors.lastname: Duprat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult