Benign Vocal Fold Lesions

What Are the Types of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions?

• Cysts: Less common than nodules and polyps, they’re fluid-filled fixed growths that can be present at birth or acquired later in life.
• Ectasias/Verices: Vocal fold stiffness caused by abnormal blood cells or other vascular malformations under the surface of the vocal fold.
• Granulomas (also called contact ulcers): An area of inflammation typically located in the back of the larynx. Often caused by vocal misuse or laryngeal intubation injury following surgery.
• Nodules (also called calluses of the vocal fold): One of the most common benign vocal fold lesions. Typically caused by extensive voice demands, repetitive overuse, or traumatic injury.
• Polyps: A fluid-filled lesion that’s typically caused by acute vocal trauma or some form of vocal overuse.
• Reinke’s Edema: When the layer under the surface lining of the vocal fold, also called Reinke’s space, fills with fluid from long-standing vocal trauma, typically from smoking. This results in a low pitch and hoarse vocal quality, or what people refer to as “smoker’s voice.”
• Vocal Fold Hemorrhage: Bleeding in the layer under the surface lining of the vocal fold that’s usually caused by a traumatic injury to small blood vessels.
• Vocal Fold Scar or Sulcus: Scar tissue that forms when the body attempts to heal itself from an injury to the vocal folds. Mostly permanent.