Comparing Videostroboscopy and Direct Microlaryngoscopy: An Argument for Flexible Consent and Operative Plan

Office-based evaluation of glottic lesions has progressed significantly, but there can still be discrepancies compared with direct microlaryngoscopy (DML) in the operating room. We performed a prospective evaluation comparing diagnosis of epithelial and lamina propria glottic lesions on rigid telescopic strobovideolaryngoscopy (RTS) with DML.

Fifty subjects were enrolled and underwent RTS followed by DML. We compared presence and extent (unilateral or bilateral) of lamina propria and epithelial lesions. Primary (diagnoses motivating an operation) and secondary (diagnoses not requiring an operation) were considered. Changes in diagnosis and operative plan based on DML findings were evaluated.

Sixty-eight lesions were identified on RTS, including 53 primary (15 epithelial, 38 lamina propria) and 15 secondary diagnoses. RTS was accurate in only 36% of subjects. Ten subjects had a different primary pathology identified on DML. A change in surgical management occurred in 16% of subjects.

This is the first prospective study evaluating how both diagnosis and operative plan for epithelial and lamina propria glottic lesions differ based on RTS and DML. Despite significant advances in office-based diagnosis of glottic lesions, there are still notable limitations. Clinicians should consider these findings when counseling patients on interpretation and plan for findings based on RTS. Obtaining a flexible surgical consent and counseling patients on the potential for new diagnoses and interventions based on DML is warranted.