A management strategy for laryngeal granuloma

Abstract

Laryngeal granuloma is a benign lesion of the posterior glottis with a tendency to recur. The optimal treatment of this disease remains controversial. In a series of 33 patients in our clinic, 24 had vocal hyperfunction, vocal abuse or habitual throat clearing. Fifteen patients underwent microlaryngoscopic removal of the granuloma. There was, however, a 73% recurrence rate after the surgery. Medical treatment for gastroesophageal ref lux was administered in 26 patients and it was effective in 42% of them. Voice therapy, which included lifestyle modification, was conducted for 17 patients, resulting in an improvement in 88% of them. Based on these results, we suggest that voice therapy should be a mainstay for management of laryngeal granuloma in combination with anti-reflux medication and lifestyle modification.