Histological and electron microscopic investigation of Reinke's edema

Reinke's edema is a benign lesion of vocal fold affecting subepithelial space. This paper describes the histological features of Reinke's edema on the basis of an extensive number of cases (203 women and 58 men). In 10 cases the electron microscopic examination was performed. Edema of subepithelial tissue was present in 138(62%) cases. This phenomenon was observed more frequently in women than in men (p=0.01). In the subepithelial tissue there were a numerous wide vessels with oedematous endothelium. Leukoplakia and dysplasia of epithelium were present in 21(8%) and 16(6%) specimens, respectively. Leukoplakia was detected more often in men than in women. This relation was close to statistical significance (p=0.055). The presence of dysplastic lesions of the epithelium was correlated with the age of the patients and smoking habit (p=0.0042, p=0.0021). Electron microscopic investigations revealed loosened intercellular junctions and widening of intercellular spaces, especially in basal and spinous layers.