Pathological changes in the mucous membrane of the larynx are quite numerous - in this case, not only inflammatory processes, but also neoplasms are important. Polyps in the larynx are common and cannot go unnoticed, since they lead to the occurrence of anatomical and functional disorders, the leading among which is a change in voice.
It is believed that the risk of encountering polyps is higher in men over 35 years old, but there are also many women among patients, especially if their professional activity is associated with voice load. What are the signs that make it possible to suspect a laryngeal polyp? What methods of treatment are indicated for the patient?
Definition and reasons
If you look at the statistical indicators of morbidity, reflecting the frequency of occurrence of tumor processes, the larynx can be considered one of the most vulnerable parts of the respiratory system. This organ is extremely sensitive to voice load, exposure to household and industrial harmful factors. Pathological changes in the larynx are often found in smokers and are explained by regular contact with tobacco smoke.
The larynx polyp is formed from the own tissues of the vocal fold, develops from the epithelium: flat or transitional. It rises above the surface of the mucous membrane, may have a leg. Polyps are classified as benign tumors because they do not destroy nearby tissues, do not tend to metastasize, and usually do not recur after removal. However, in the understanding of pathomorphologists, a polyp is not a true tumor: it comes from the tissue of the vocal cords and represents its excessive growth - a tumor-like focus.
The main reason for the development can be called the regular overstrain of the vocal cords during:
- screaming;
- singing;
- lectures.
The development of polyps in the larynx may be associated with professional activities. They are often found in singers, teachers, and factory workers who have to constantly raise their voices due to high noise levels in the workplace. In addition, chronic inflammatory processes in the larynx, contact with damaging factors (nicotine, household chemicals, etc.) are important. Children in whom these formations appear with significant vocal load, for example, during singing lessons, acting, and also if the patient is used to talking very loudly, often screams, can also encounter polyps.
The polyp does not occur acutely - it develops gradually and is usually localized in the anterior third of the vocal cords. It is this area that undergoes the greatest degree of trauma, which leads to impaired blood circulation, the formation of stagnation and the start of the inflammatory process.
On average, the duration of the formation of a polyposis focus is about three months.
The laryngeal polyp is characterized by slow growth, therefore, at the initial stage of development, it may remain unnoticed due to the paucity of clinical manifestations. It is believed that in adults, polyps can become malignant, but this happens rarely and is associated with frequent recurrence of the pathological process (re-formation of tumor-like foci), many other unfavorable changes, predisposing factors. There are no changes on the tonsils with laryngeal polyps.
Clinical manifestations
To justify even a preliminary diagnosis, you need to evaluate all the symptoms of the disease. These include not only the patient's complaints, but also signs that can be identified through physical examination.
Symptoms
How do throat polyps manifest themselves? Symptoms in an adult are few, among them are:
- indistinct voice;
- changing the characteristics of the tonality of the voice;
- the phenomenon of diplophony.
Diplophony is understood as the bifurcation of tones during the pronunciation of a particular sound. This happens because polyposis formation leads to the loss of the vocal cord's ability to harmoniously vibrate all departments.
On average, the duration of the formation of a polyposis focus is about three months. The front and back sections vibrate at different frequencies, and the person, in fact, loses control over his voice - especially if the polyp becomes large. Also, diplophony is explained by a short-term wedging of a tumor-like formation between the vocal folds.
Very rarely, symptoms such as intermittent coughing, difficulty breathing, and sore throat are observed. Violations of the voice with a polyp of the larynx are not accompanied by pain, which is an important distinguishing feature. The appearance of pain and / or fever may indicate the onset of a concomitant infectious process, but is not typical for a polyp.
The leading symptom of a polyp in the larynx is hoarseness. Violations of voice formation are aggravated as the size of the tumor-like focus increases.
Although a single polyp is most often encountered, it cannot be ruled out that there are multiple growths on one or both sides. A polyp in the throat in an adult usually does not lead to respiratory problems, but with a significant increase, the risk exists.
How are polyps in the throat manifested in childhood? In most cases, there is a single tumor-like formation that is small and grows very slowly. This leads to the absence of vivid manifestations and severe disorders. There is no cough, no perspiration, no sore throat, the gland on the affected side is not affected. Hoarseness is often the only symptom.
Objective signs
In both children and adults, polyps have similar objective characteristics:
- gelatinous, jelly-like, watery consistency, round shape;
- the presence of a leg or, conversely, its absence and a wide base;
- smooth surface without deformation, ulceration;
- pink, red, whitish gray.
In adult patients, they can be cyanotic, and in children, they can be transparent at the beginning of development and bright pink, crimson-red afterwards. The consistency of the polyp depends on the age of its formation. If the tumor is large, the papillae are visible on its surface. On the amygdala (as a rule, palatine) changes will be only with an accompanying acute process (tonsillitis), which has no pathogenetic connection with the presence of polyposis growths.
How to help the patient
What to do if polyps are found in the larynx - how and with what to treat? Conservative methods of therapy for this pathology are not used, the only effective treatment option is surgery. Removal of the polyp is performed by an otolaryngologist.
In the period that precedes the operation, the patient must follow several rules. First of all, it is necessary to eliminate the primary cause of the development of a tumor-like focus, that is, an increased voice load. In addition, treatment necessarily includes:
- A diet with temperature and food consistency control.
- Quitting smoking, alcohol.
- Avoiding contact with irritants (dry hot air, aerosols, etc.).
- Rehabilitation of chronic foci of infection (carious teeth, chronic tonsillitis, etc.).
Polyps in the larynx cannot be cured with rinsing, pills, or other conservative methods.
Although conservative therapy is ineffective, attention should be paid to chronic inflammatory processes in the larynx and nearby organs, and the treatment of acute infectious and inflammatory lesions should be started on time.
The detection of polyposis formations in the larynx in a child or an adult cannot be carried out at home, the diagnosis must be confirmed by a doctor who has examined the affected area with the help of special devices. If polyps are not removed, they will continue to grow and increase in size, which carries the risk of laryngeal stenosis.
