brand-logo

Laryngeal polyps / nodules

Very low urgency
--

Polyps and laryngeal nodules are lesions of the vocal cords caused by vocal abuse and irritants such as tobacco, alcohol or gastric reflux.

They present with a change in the tone of the voice, which can lead to aphonia.

It is diagnosed clinically and by direct laryngoscopy by a specialist.

Treatment includes removal of irritants and voice therapy. Polyps usually require surgical removal to normalise the voice.

Bibliographic references
  1. Altman KW. Vocal fold masses. Otolaryngol Clin North Am 2007; 40(5): 1091-108.
  2. Nunes RB, Vedla M, Nunes MB, Paulino JG. Clinical diagnosis and histological analysis of vocal nodules and polyps. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol 2013; 79(4): 434-40.
  3. Martins RH, Defaveri J, Domingues MA, de Albuquerque E, Silva R. Vocal polyps: clinical, morphological, and immunohistochemical aspects. J Voice 2011; 25(1): 98-106.
  4. Ratajczak J, Grzywacz K, Wojdas A, Rapiejko P, Jurkiewicz D. Role of psychological factors in pathogenesis of disturbances of voice caused with vocal nodules. Otolaryngol Pol 2008; 62: 758-63.
  5. Zhuge P, You H, Wang H, Zhang Y, Du H. An Analysis of The Effects of Voice Therapy on Patients With Early Vocal Fold Polyps. 2015 Sep 21. pii: S0892-1997; (15)00: 189-7.
  6. Jeong WJ, Lee SJ, Lee WY, Chang H, Ahn SH. Conservative management for vocal fold polyps. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2014; 140(5): 448-52.
  7. Béquignon E, Bach C, Fugain C, Guilleré L, Blumen M, Chabolle F, Wagner I. Long-term results of surgical treatment of vocal fold nodules. Laryngoscope 2013; 123(8): 1926-30.
  8. Effat KG, Milad M. A comparative histopathological study of vocal fold polyps in smokers versus non-smokers. J Laryngol Otol 2015; 129(5): 484-8.
  9. Lee Sw, Park KN. Long-term efficacy of percutaneous steroid injection for treating benign vocal fold lesions: A prospective study. Laryngoscope 2016 Mar 12.
Copyright
© TeckelMedical 2026

Symptoms

    Speech impediment

    Muffled voice

    Hoarseness / loss of voice

    Voice so muffled it makes speaking almost impossible

    "Hot potato" voice

Symptoms to watch out for

A feeling of shortness of breath
Total loss of the voice
Cough alongside blood or pus
Permanent throat-clearing

Self-care

Rest the voice.
Consume over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatories.
Maintain hydration of 2L per day. Avoid soft drinks and fruit juices with high sugar content.
Reduce tobacco consumption.
Reduce alcohol consumption.
It is recommended to maintain a balanced diet, consume hydrosoluble fibers (fruits and vegetables), avoid food that produced gas (beans, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli), carbonated beverages with preservatives, synthetic sweeteners, and refined sugar.
Mediktor logo