Online ISSN: 2515-8260

Clinical study of cases of hoarseness of voice at a tertiary hospital

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Clinical study of cases of hoarseness of voice at a tertiary hospital

Abstract

Background: Hoarseness is defined as a change in the quality of voice which is caused by abnormal vocal cord movement. Present study was aimed to study clinical profile, incidence of common etiological factors and the association of common predisposing factors for hoarseness of voice. Material and Methods: Present study was single-center, prospective, observational study, conducted in patients of age 6-70 years, either gender, presenting with hoarseness of voice. When the findings were inadequate to arrive at a clinical diagnosis, direct laryngoscopic examination with or without biopsy, microlaryngoscopy with or without biopsy, flexible endoscopy with or without biopsy was performed. Results: In present study, 112 patients presented with hoarseness of voice were studied. Majority cases were from 51-60 years age (28.57 %) & 41-50 years age (25.89 %), mean age was 52.97 ± 14.64 years. Male to female ratio was 2.3:1, male (68.75 %) outnumbered females (31.25 %). Common habits observed in patients were tobacco components (36.61 %), smoking (28.57 %), alcohol (23.21 %) & vocal abuse (9.82 %), while no habits noted in 45 patients (40.18 %). After complete evaluation, clinical diagnosis was finalized. Common diagnosis was chronic laryngitis (21.43 %) followed by malignancy (17.86 %), v0cal cord palsy (14.29 %), acute laryngitis (12.5 %), vocal cord nodules (9.82 %), vocal polyp (8.04 %), Reinke’s edema (5.36 %), vocal cord cyst (5.36 %), functional voice disorder (2.68 %), tubercular laryngitis (1.79 %) & reflux laryngitis (0.89 %). Among malignancies, carcinoma supraglottis (9.82 %), carcinoma glottis (5.36 %) & carcinoma subglottis (2.68 %) were noted. Conclusion: Hoarseness of voice as a symptom should never be ignored as its etiology may range from simple infection to malignancy. Early diagnosis is the key to improve the outcome of treatment.

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