Retrospective Study of Sulcus Vocalis

Abstract

Between 1981 and 1990,202 of 276 patients with sulcus in the vocal fold were diagnosed with sulcus vocalis in our clinic. Seventy four cases were asymptomatic or associated with other organic voice disorders. Eighty one percent of sulcus vocalis were males and 79% were bilateral. Hoarseness occurred between fifty and seventy years of age in 51% of the patients. The onset of hoarseness occurred in patients below 20 years of age in only 5%of cases. Transcutaneous silicon injection to the vocal folds was performed in four patients and improved the voice in three. The improvement, however, lasted more than six months in only one patient. Nineteen patients were treated with voice therapy, and 37% of those improved.