title: Laryngoceles - presentations and management.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laryngoceles usually present as cervical masses with or without hoarseness of voice. They are mostly unilateral and may be symptomatic or asymptomatic. They are classified as internal, external or combined. They have been described to be an occupational hazard among wind instrument players or glass blowers. They also occur in association with neoplasms of the larynx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report five patients with laryngoceles of whom two had bilateral laryngoceles, which are very rare. One patient had associated laryngeal malignancy for which total laryngectomy was performed. Two cases underwent excision via cervical approach. The rest were managed conservatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptomatic cases have to be managed surgically while asymptomatic ones may be managed conservatively.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Kishore Chandra
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vijayalakshmi
authors.forename: Sampath Chandra
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Prasad
keywords: Associated malignancy; Bilateral; Laryngocele; Valsalva’s maneuver