Role of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Vocal Cord Lesions in Comparison to Laryngoscope

Background: Hoarseness of voice is a common complaint due to various laryngeal lesions. Laryngeal lesions may be benign such as cysts, nodules, or polyps, or masses (rather benign or malignant). Recently the laryngoscope is the gold standard for such lesion’s diagnosis, however Ultrasound is a great promising non-invasive tool for laryngeal lesions detection. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the value of high-resolution Ultrasonography in the diagnosis of various laryngeal lesions by using the direct laryngoscope as a gold standard. Patient and methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was done at Qena university hospital (ENT & radiology departments), south valley university between January 2022 till January 2023, this study conducted on 50 patients with a laryngeal complaint, by comparing the results of US with direct laryngoscope results. Results: US could diagnose 100% of cysts, 92.3% of masses, 88.9% of polyp and 6 cases couldn’t be diagnosed. (non-diagnosed lesions by US were small nodules and anterior commissure lesions). Overall sensitivity of the US was 88%. Conclusion: Ultrasonography can be used effectively in diagnosis of many laryngeal lesions with higher sensitivity to larger ones. It can complement laryngoscope in the work-up of patients with hoarseness of voice and suspected laryngeal masses.