Efficacy of videostroboscopy in the diagnosis of voice disorders

While videostrobolaryngoscopy is not a new technique, its acceptance as a routine part of the voice evaluation has not been as forthcoming. Many are in agreement that the rigid fiberoptic telescopes in combination with standard VHS equipment provide a clear, magnified image that can be recorded and used for pretreatment and post-treatment comparisons, documentation, teaching, and research. Yet, some skepticism persists with regard to the ability of videolaryngoscopy and/or videostrobolaryngoscopy in changing the diagnosis and treatment outcome of patients with voice disorders as compared to indirect laryngoscopy. Two hundred ninety-two dysphonic patients were identified who underwent indirect as well as videolaryngoscopy with and without stroboscopic examination. Videostrobolaryngoscopy was found to alter the diagnosis and treatment outcome in 14% of the patients. It is most useful in patients with a diagnosis of functional dysphonia and vocal fold paralysis by indirect laryngoscopy. The increased illumination and magnification afforded by rigid fiberoptic telescopes during videolaryngoscopy, combined with the detailed assessment of glottic closure, mucosal wave, and amplitude characteristics provided by stroboscopic examination, allowed detection of subtle vocal fold pathology, otherwise missed by indirect laryngoscopy.