Epidemiology of Vocal Fold Scarring and Diagnostic Guidelines

Vocal fold scarring is one of a difficult disease that causes permanent severe dysphonia due to the fibrosis of the lamina propria of the vocal fold mucosa. No optimal treatment has been developed, although some regenerative approaches have been attempted using stem cells and growth factors. It is necessary to establish epidemiological data and diagnostic guidelines for the further development of novel treatments for vocal fold scarring. The Japan Laryngological Association set up an ad-hoc working group named “Working group for the establishment of epidemiology and diagnostic guidelines for vocal fold scarring”, performed an epidemiological survey, and developed diagnostic guidelines, which are presented in this article.