Role of videolaryngoscopy in patients with hoarseness of voice

Introduction: Hoarseness is roughness of voice resulting from variations of periodicity or intensity of consecutive sound waves. Hoarseness is a symptom, not a disease per se therefore warrants a careful determination of the underlying cause in every case. Videolaryngoscopy is a very useful and effective method of evaluation and documentation of pathological conditions of the larynx. Aims and Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of videolaryngoscopy in laryngeal pathologies. Materials and Methods: An observational cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of ENT, tertiary level care Hospital, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. 106 patients presenting with hoarseness were included. All the patients were thoroughly evaluated and analyzed using video laryngoscopy. Result: Among 106 cases, age ranged between 12 and 80, 47 (44.4%) were males, largest group of patients were labourer / farmer (33%) followed by housewives (30%). In males, largest group was of labourer/farmer (54.10%). Vocal abuse was the most common predisposing factors in 30% of hoarseness. Other factors in descending order were smoking (26%), upper respiratory tract infection, and alcohol (10%), tobacco chewing (5%). It was found 76% patients had single risk factor, 20 % had two and 4% patients had multiple predisposing factors. Conclusion: A good videolaryngoscopy is a definitive investigation tool where stroboscopy cannot be done. It can provide accurate diagnosis in many laryngeal pathologies. Seeing is believing. Another useful advantage of videolaryngoscopy is that the patients are able to see the pathology which helps in their counselling and better compliance of patients is seen. Keywords: Hoarseness, Videolaryngoscopy, Vocal cord, Stroboscopy, Vocal nodule.