In order to improve the quality of the article on Vocal Fold Cysts I am going to use several reliable sources to provide information on the causes and prevention of vocal fold cysts. The sources I plan on using are as follows:
Vocal fold cysts are benign masses of the membranous vocal folds. There are two types of vocal fold cysts that differ in terms of location:
- Sub-epithelial vocal fold cysts which are located in the superficial lamina propria of the vocal folds.
- Ligament vocal fold cysts which are located within the deeper layers of the lamina propria or on the vocal ligament.[5]
These cysts are enclosed, sac-like structures that are typically of a yellow or white colour. [2] They usually form unilaterally on the midpoint of the medial edge of the vocal folds. However, they can form on the cephalic, or upper/superior, surface of the vocal folds as well. [5]
Causes
There are several causes of vocal fold cysts:
- They can be congenital.[5]
- They can result from the blockage of a mucous gland's excretory duct. In this case, they are sometimes referred to as retention cysts. [4]
- Or they can be the result of phonotrauma.[5] Phonotrauma refers to behaviours that can lead to vocal fold injuries, such as vocal overuse (i.e. too much speaking), vocal misuse (i.e. speaking in an unnaturally high or low pitch), or vocal abuse (i.e. yelling or whispering for prolonged periods). Vocal folds vibrate during phonation resulting in repeated collisions of the right and left vocal folds. Phonotrauma subjects the vocal folds to excessive mechanical forces during these vibratory cycles, which can lead to the development of a wound. It is the healing of these wounds, which lead to tissue re-structuring, that can result in a vocal fold cyst.[3]
Prevention
A key aspect of preventing vocal fold cysts is good vocal hygiene. Good vocal hygiene promotes the healthy use of the vocal apparatus and the avoidance of phonotrauma. Good vocal hygiene practices involve the avoidance of:
- Shouting
- Whispering loudly or for long periods of time
- Large quantities of talking over loud background noise
- Talking while yawning
- Continual clearing of the throat
- Speaking in an unnatural voice (i.e. too high or low)
- Talking with a cold or laryngitis
- Smoking tobacco or marijuana
- The consumption of alcohol and coffee
- The use of antihistamines, aspirin, steroids, tricyclic antidepressants, or any substance that alters perception (i.e. sleeping pills)
- Foul air
In addition, good vocal hygiene involves getting enough rest and drinking lots of water. It is important to keep the vocal fold tissue healthy and hydrated, and when possible to limit the quantity of speaking in order to avoid damage. [6]
 | This is a user sandbox of Paige22cameron. You can use it for testing or practicing edits. This is not the sandbox where you should draft your assigned article for a dashboard.wikiedu.org course. To find the right sandbox for your assignment, visit your Dashboard course page and follow the Sandbox Draft link for your assigned article in the My Articles section. |
Need to delete citations 1 - didn't use it.
- ^ Sataloff, Robert Thayer; Hawkshaw, Mary; Sataloff, Jonathon B. (2012). Atlas of Laryngoscopy (Third ed.). Plural Publishing. ISBN 9781597566018.
- ^ a b Simpson, Blake; Rosen, Clark (2008). Operative Techniques in Laryngology. Berlin: Springer. ISBN 978-3-540-68107-6.
- ^ a b Johns, Michael M. (2003). "Update on the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of vocal fold nodules, polyps, and cysts". Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 11 (6).
- ^ a b Reiter, Rudolf; Hoffman, Thomas Karl; Pickhard, Anja; Brosche, Sibylle (2015). "Hoarseness—Causes and Treatments". Deutsches Arzteblatt International. 112 (19).
- ^ a b c d Verdolini, Katherine; Rosen, Clark A.; Branski, Ryan C. (2005). Classification manual for voice disorders-I. Psychology Press.
- ^ Calhoun, Karen H.; Wax, Mark K.; Ebling, David E., eds. (2001). Expert guide to otolaryngology (1st ed.). American College of Physicians.