[Stroboscopic assessment of chronic laryngitis].

INTRODUCTION: The laryngostroboscopy allows analysis of the vocal fold vibrations during phonation. Disruption of normal viscoelastic properties of the superficial lamina propria results in aberrant vocal fold vibration and mucosal wave propagation. Therefore, an investigation was performed to relate the stroboscopic results with the anatomopathologic results of chronic laryngitis and glottic cancer.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study, which included 30 direct laryngoscopies with biopsy of 25 patients and their corresponding laryngostroboscopies.

RESULTS: 60% of the cases of "absence of mucosal wave" displayed severe dysplasia or carcinoma. 20% of the cases of "limited or present mucosal wave" were carcinoma.

CONCLUSIONS: The probability of finding severe dysplasia or carcinoma is significantly greater when we find absence of mucosal wave. The presence of mucosal wave does not exclude the possibility of malignant lesion of the vocal fold.