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Suggest Treatment For Vocal Cord Polyp

Posted on Thu, 26 Feb 2015

Question: I am a 71 yr. old female. History of R. paralyzed vocal cord 9 yrs. ago. Paralysis healed itself but I have now been been diagnosed with a L. vocal cord polyp. I have hoarsness, poor projection of speech, fatique in speaking, and very dry mouth and throat. Despite speech therapy ( for six sessions) accompanied with vocal exercises, there is limited improvement. I was told recently that I have narrowing of the cervical nerve sheaths. Could there be any connection between tension in the throat and the nerve sheaths? I am to have a follow-up appointment with my ENT Dr. who will assess my progress. If surgery is suggested what is your view on this? Would it be worthwhile to carry on with the exercises? What other suggestions would you make?...Thank you.. XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
needs surgery.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

I have gone through your question and understand your concerns that you are having vocal card polyp.

Based on your clinical details, it needs to be removed with surgery (micro laryngoscopic surgery).

Right vocal card palsy during healing phase, left vocal polyp can occur due to over straining or compensation.

Vocal cards are supplied by vagus nerve comes out through jugular foreman of skull supplies major organs of chest (lung,heart), cervical nerves are related to spine, sends nerve signals to brain.

In my opinion, there is a no relation between cervical nerve sheaths with vocal card polyp.

At present scenario, exercises or speech therapy barely show the results.

I suggest you to undergo surgery.

Hope this answers your question, if you have additional questions or follow up questions then please do not hesitate in writing to us. I will be happy to answer your questions.

Wishing you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju

Follow up: Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (13 hours later)

Dear Dr. Siddigh:
Thank you for your reply, regarding my vocal cord polyp. I did fail to give you other health problems that I have and am wondering if any of them could inflluence or worsen my current vocal cord polyp. They are: Asthma, (being treated with Symbicort inhaler & Ventolin) Obstructive sleep apnea (using CPAP machine) diabetis insipidus ( taking DDAVP hormone 60mg B.I.D.) GERD (treated with Pantoloc 40 mg) PE's 2005& 2009 (being treated with warfarin 5mg O.D.) Spinal cord spasms, causing nocturnal leg pain ( treated with Amyitriptiline 20mg H.S. and Baclofen 10mg T.I.D).

Also, after this question I have 2 more left on my contract with you. Would I be able to retain them and use after my appointment with my Dr. in March? I may have a better idea of what questions to ask at that time.

Thank you again for your advice,
Regards, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abubakar Siddiqh (39 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
They do not directly worsen it

Detailed Answer:
Hello again,

No, none of your pre-existing conditions directly worsen vocal polyp. In fact, vocal card polyp itself enhances the asthma, obstructive sleep apnea by compromising the airway. So you should consider surgery.

All your prevailing medical problems pose high risk for any surgery, especially for MLS (micro laryngoscopic surgery) under general anesthesia. Discuss about it when you meet the doctor.

I am not sure if the current package you have chose will allow you to ask me question later after the doctor's appointment. But I will be glad to help you if you can post me the question directly using the link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=67847

Hope, I have answered your query. take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad