Laryngeal findings in patients with contact granuloma: a long-term follow-up study

In order to evaluate the long-term outcome of contact granuloma a follow-up study of 59 patients was conducted. Primary treatment consisted mainly of voice therapy or of voice therapy in combination with surgery. A careful history was taken and the patients were examined using videolaryngoscopy. The average follow-up time was 12 years (range 5-20 years). In total, 10 out of 59 patients (17%) had a granuloma at the follow-up examination, 6 of them presenting without subjective symptoms. Another 28 patients had various signs of inflammation of the posterior glottis. The history taken at follow-up revealed that eight patients had had a previous temporary recurrence during the follow-up time. The recurrence frequency was the same for patients who received voice therapy after postoperative recurrence and patients who were treated with voice therapy only. About 80% of the patients had no symptoms at follow-up. The findings of the present study indicate that contact granuloma is one of several manifestations of chronic posterior laryngitis and that it may occur without symptoms.