Epidermoid cysts of the vocal cords

Fifty-three cases of intracordal epidermoid cysts diagnosed, treated and followed from 1972 to 1981 are presented. In the clinical evaluation, special attention must be paid to the type of dysphonia and morphology of the vocal cords at indirect laryngoscopy. The epidermoid cyst is not easily visualized and the examiner must take into account signs like "monochorditis," slight bulging, unilateral nodule and diminished or abolished vibrations of one of the cords at stroboscopy. Microsurgical excision followed by voice therapy is the recommended treatment. The pathogenesis of these cysts is still speculative. Two theories are discussed: the traumatic theory and the dysembryoplastic theory.