A Retrospective Study of Glottic Cyst Histopathology and Its Clinical Presentation

To understand the frequency and clinical presentation of the four types of vocal-fold cyst described by the Koren classification. Glottic cysts operated in a 1-year period were grouped retrospectively into Koren A, B, C and D (KA, KB, KC, KD). The age and sex of the patient, cyst location, laterality, associated lesions, profession, daily water consumption, duration of symptoms prior to surgery and postoperative healing time were noted. Of 30 cysts, 14 KA, 10 KB, 4 KC and 2 KD were identified. Average age of symptoms in KA to KD was 45, 52, 40 and 37 years. KC and KD were found only in females unlike the male predominance of KA and KB. Striking zone was the location of 28/30 cysts with a focal pit in 1 KC and mucosal bridge in 1 KD. There was no significance to laterality or profession. Average daily water consumption was 1.8, 1.75, 2 and 2 L in KA to KD. Average duration of symptoms up-till surgery for KA to KD was 2.6 years, 1.4 years, 2.9 years and 1 month. Post-operative healing time for KA to KD was 6.6, 7.4, 11.7 and 10 weeks. KA was the commonest cyst excised followed by KB, KC and KD. The KD patients were earliest and youngest to present. All KC and KD cysts were found in females unlike the male predominance of KA and KB. As majority of the cysts were found on the striking zone, phonotrauma may be one of the etiologies for all four cysts.