Evaluation of Voice Quality in Patients With Vocal Fold Polyps: The Size of a Polyp Matters or Does it?

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between morphological features of vocal fold polyps (VFPs) and subjective/objective voice parameters.

METHODS: Perceptual evaluations, aerodynamic and acoustic tests were performed on 47 patients with VFPs. Still images were captured from video and the morphological features associated with the size of VFP were quantified. To reveal the correlation between size-related morphological features (length of polyp base, the ratio of polyp base to vocal fold length, glottal gap area) and objective/subjective parameters of voice, Pearson's and Spearman's tests were carried out.

RESULTS: This cohort was composed of 30 (63.8 %) male and 17 (36.2%) female patients with the mean age of 45.2 years and 41.3 years, respectively. No correlation was found between the morphological features of VFPs and any of perceptual, aerodynamic and acoustic voice parameters.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that controversies still exist regarding the role of vocal fold polyp morphology in clinical decision making.