Vocal Fold Polyps Poster
Vocal abuse damages the vocal folds and causes temporary (acute) or permanent (chronic) dysfunction in the voice. Adults whose work causes frequent voice stress such as sports coaches, teachers, and singers may develop vocal disorders. For example, a vocal fold polyp, also known as Reinke's edema, is a soft (noncancerous) growth typically on the edge of the vocal fold. Symptoms of a polyp are a hoarse, breathy, and low-pitched voice. Treatments range from voice therapy with a speech-language pathologist to the most common method of removal by microscopic laryngeal surgery.