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Understanding the Disorder | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatment | Frontiers

glossary2Key Glossary Terms
Vocal Fold Lesions
Specific to this chapter; refers to vocal nodules, vocal polyps, and vocal cysts

Vocal Abuse
Normal vocal behaviors used in excess, leading to vocal fold injury (e.g., excessive loudness or cough)

Vocal Misuse
Abnormal vocal behaviors that cause stress or injury to the vocal folds (e.g., excess tension while speaking)

Vocal Overuse
Normal voice behavior that takes its toll with time (e.g., singer after many years of performing)

Need for Terminology Consensus

There is a significant amount of controversy regarding the naming and classification of benign vocal fold lesions.

  • It is not uncommon for an otolaryngologist to call vocal fold lesions that are not cancerous “nodules” as a catch-all designation for a non-cancerous growth on a vocal fold.
  • The communication between doctor and patient, as well as between doctor and doctor, is problematic due to the lack of standards and classification when it comes to discussing benign vocal fold lesions.
Relationship of Vocal Fold Lesion and Vocal Fold Paresis

Vocal fold lesions have recently been observed to possibly be associated with or due to a weakness of the vocal fold (vocal fold paresis). (For more information, see Vocal Fold Paresis/Paralysis.)

  • Experts believe that the extreme amount of trauma placed on the lining/covering of the vocal fold to compensate for vocal fold weakness (paresis) causes a lesion to develop.
  • Accurate and reliable diagnosis of vocal fold weakness (paresis) is not yet widely accepted, thus the relationship of vocal fold lesions and vocal fold weakness are not thoroughly understood at the present time.
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Patient education material presented here does not substitute for medical consultation or examination, nor is this material intended to provide advice on the medical treatment appropriate to any specific circumstances.

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