title: Diagnostic evaluation and management of hoarseness.
abstract: Hoarseness is a common symptom that can result from a wide spectrum of underlying causes ranging from the common cold to a malignancy. A framework for diagnostic evaluation is presented based on categorizing the myriad of causes by how they interfere with the voice production mechanism. Triaging of cases by necessity or urgency of laryngoscopy is assisted by forming a global index of suspicion based on targeted history taking. Laryngoscopy is required in most cases to obtain a diagnosis for the hoarseness. Treatments commonly prescribed for hoarseness are critically examined in this article. To listen to audio clips of patients with different types of hoarseness, please visit our website, www.medical.theclinics.com.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Center for Voice Care, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, TX 75390, USA. ted.mau@utsouthwestern.edu
authors.forename: Ted
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mau
mesh_terms: D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007972:Leukoplakia, Oral; D010808:Physical Examination; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology