To study cases of cysts of larynx and review the literature regarding precipitating factors and methods of treatment.

A retrospective study of eight cases of cysts of larynx in our hospital was carried out from July 2012 to December 2015. In all cases, diagnosis was made by video laryngoscopy and was treated by microlaryngeal surgery under general anesthesia (GA).

Eight patients with laryngeal cysts were identified, of which five were male and three were female. The mean age was ranging from 40 to 60.

On examination, two were diagnosed with cysts from epiglottis, three from aryepiglottic folds, two from false vocal cords, and one from the ventricle.

As saccular cysts are identified to be associated with neoplastic transformation, it is important to recognize the laryngeal saccular cyst and manage appropriately in its early stages and to differentiate it from other laryngeal cysts. Thorough diagnostic evaluation and surgical intervention necessitates the appropriate management.

Kumar Chowdary KVS, Srikanth N, Shaik FB. A Clinical Study of Laryngeal Cysts. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):53-56.

Vocal cord palsy (VCP) can be definitely depicted on computed tomograpy (CT) scan by identifying key points at the level of true vocal cords and aryepiglottic folds. There are various VCP mimics and imaging shortcomings, and these can usually be circumvented by thoughtfully assessing the scan plan and level, and a diligent search for additional characteristics.

This retrospective study consisted of 10 cases of unilateral VCP, who all had been clinically diagnosed of VCP and further evaluated by CT. Pre- and postcontrast enhanced axial CT from skull base to aorto-pulmonary window were done and multiplanar three-dimensional reconstruction of images in coronal and sagittal planes along with volume-rendered imaging was done.

Most consistent findings in VCP were thickening of ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold and medialization of ipsilateral aryepiglottic fold (100%), followed by dilation of ipsilateral pyriform sinus (90%) and dilatation of ipsilateral laryngeal ventricle (80%). Etiologic causes were ascertained in three cases: Thyroid malignancy, tuberculosis, and pyriform sinus malignancy. The last etiology was probably a VCP mimic.

Radiologic evaluation is inarguably useful for determining the etiology of VCP, particularly for lesions within neck and thoracic cavity. Most crucial objective in assessing a case of VCP is to exclude the presence of a life-threatening primary lesion as the cause of VCP.

Pandey AK, Gangrade S, Malhotra A, Varma A, Maithani T. Computerized Tomographic Assessment of Vocal Cord Palsy: Otolaryngologist's Purview. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):57-63.

Hoarseness of voice is generally due to change in quality of voice. The etiology of hoarseness of voice varies from benign conditions to malignant disease, hence should not be ignored. All cases of hoarseness of voice persisting for more than 3 weeks should be investigated for the underlying disease. It may indicate either malignancy of larynx or silent bronchogenic carcinoma. A retrospective study of cases of hoarseness of voice was done in MediCiti Institute of Medical Sciences for a period of 5 years. The etiopathological factors, age and duration of presentation, and type of condition were analyzed to arrive at different etiopathological conditions responsible at different age groups.

Rao SV, Sharma VS, Rao MVS, Keerthi GS, Deta SI, Seepana PT, Kumar V. Etiopathology of Hoarseness of Voice: A Clinical Study. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):64-67.

To assess oncologic and functional outcomes of early glottic cancer cases treated with transoral laser microsurgical resection (TLMR) and to outline the principles for optimizing vocal outcomes in these cases.

Sixty six patients with early glottic cancer (7 CIS, 43 T1a, 15 T1b, 1 T2) underwent TLMR. Postoperatively, voice quality was assessed by Oates Russell Voice Profile.

Local control was achieved in 95.08% of the cases and larynx was preserved in 98.3%. Residual disease developed in 3 patients. There were eight local recurrences. Single patient of T1b lesion was lost to follow-up and came back with stridor and underwent total laryngectomy.

Early glottic cancers can be effectively treated by TLMR with good oncologic outcome. Depth of infiltration of lesion is the most critical factor affecting the postoperative vocal outcome. In our study near-normal conversational voice to moderate change in voice was found after type I, II, and III cordectomies. Surprisingly, type VI cordectomy also gave a serviceable vocal outcome with moderate change in voice. In our opinion, type IV cordectomy does not give a serviceable vocal outcome even if performed unilaterally. Thus radiotherapy should be strongly considered in such cases for better vocal outcome.

Nerurkar NK, Deshmukh S. Our Approach for Optimizing Vocal Outcomes in Transoral Laser Microsurgical Resection of Early Glottic Carcinoma. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):68-72.

Babu MM, Kumar RA, Thirugnanamani R. Montgomery T-tube for Management of Tracheal Stenosis: A Retrospective Analysis in a Government Hospital of South India. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):73-77.

Swallowing problems have significant subjective component. Their evaluation necessitates the use of questionnaires to know both extent of symptoms and effect on quality of life. These should be designed to get maximum information with minimum trouble to the patient. Parkinson's disease (PD) involves swallowing disorder as a symptom, often unreported. Hence, this needs to be assessed separately.

To develop a questionnaire, in the vernacular, to check for the presence of swallowing problems in PD patients and to study its reliability and validity.

We developed an 11-item questionnaire in English, modeled on the Tel Aviv swallowing disturbance questionnaire (SDQ), chosen for its brevity. This was translated into the vernacular (Malayalam, native tongue of the state of Kerala in India) and administered to patients (n = 106) attending the weekly PD clinic of a tertiary care center, in consultation with the attending n in charge of movement disorder patients. The same questionnaire was also administered to age-matched controls (patients without any swallowing disorders) (n = 63) attending the ear, nose, and throat (ENT); neurology; and geriatric clinics. The scores were documented and statistical analysis done, to check for internal reliability and validity.

Comparison of mean total scores between cases (2.89) and controls (1.51) showed a statistically significant difference, indicating statistical validity (p = 0.009). Guttman's split-half correlation showed fairly good reliability for both cases (0.812) and controls (0.851).

The present questionnaire to assess dysphagia in PD patients has been found to be reliable and valid for use. We recommend it as a screening tool in the neurology outpatient department (OPD).

Menon U, Radhakrishnan SK, Sundaram KR. Reliability and Validity of a Questionnaire to Assess Swallowing Disorders in Parkinson's Disease Cases. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):78-82.

Dutta A, Sabarigirish K, Saxena S, Kavitha Y. An Unusual Case of Stridor. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):83-85.

Verma H, Dass A, Punia RS, Singhal SK, Gupta N, Bhutani M. Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma of Larynx: A Case Report and Rare Experience. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):86-88.

Four cases of laryngeal lipoma are presented with a discussion of their differential diagnoses and management.

Case report and literature review.

Laryngeal lipomas, though a fairly rare entity, are occasionally the cause of persistent hoarseness of voice. An accurate diagnosis is important and the management may vary from surgical excision to only wait and watch policy, as these tumors are usually slow growing. A discussion of the presentation and management of four cases of laryngeal lipoma managed by us is documented with a review of literature.

Laryngeal lipomas have no set management protocol. A custom-made plan for each patient should be charted out depending on the symptoms of the patient and extent of the lipoma.

Nerurkar NK, Jain AA, Desai BH. Lipoma of the Larynx: Our Experience. Int J Phonosurg Laryngol 2016;6(2):89-92.