Dos
- Do seek assessment if hoarseness follows an episode of shouting or vocal strain and does not settle within a couple of weeks
Vocal Cord Polyps
Consultant-led diagnosis and treatment for vocal cord polyps, soft swellings that can follow a single episode of vocal strain or a burst blood vessel.
What is the condition?
A vocal cord polyp is a soft, often blood-filled or gelatinous swelling on one vocal cord. Polyps can develop after a single episode of severe vocal strain (such as shouting) or from smoking, and — unlike nodules, which form in matching pairs — typically occur on just one cord.
Symptoms
What to look out for?
The main symptom is a sudden or persistent change in voice quality after the triggering episode.
- Hoarseness that developed suddenly or persists after a strained voice episode
- A breathy or rough voice
- Vocal fatigue
Treatment
What can be done?
Small polyps sometimes settle with voice rest and therapy, but most benefit from microlaryngoscopy to remove the polyp directly.
- Voice therapy and vocal rest
- Microlaryngoscopy to remove the polyp
Prevention
What should I do?
Don'ts
- Don't continue heavy voice use while a polyp is suspected, as this can worsen it