- What Is It?
- Types & Complications
- Applications
-
Comments
-
**COMMENTSTAGLIST**
-
More
-
**OTHERTAGLIST**
The stroboscopy test uses a rapidly flashing light to examine the voice-box (larynx) and the vocal cords. It is a quick procedure that helps in the diagnosis of the underlying problems that may be causing voice issues, such as hoarseness. Our vocal cords, which are responsible for voice production, have a loose layer on top that moves like a wave. This layer vibrates with a frequency that can be as high as 400 times a minute. When vocal cords are examined with a stroboscope, the finer details are easily visible in a simple endoscopic procedure.
During the test:
- The patient may be seated in the clinic or the hospital.
- Numbing medicine may be sprayed into the nose and throat to make the test more comfortable.
- The doctor may then insert a small tube (scope) into the nose. It will be passed back into the throat until it is level with the top of the mouth.
- The patient may be asked to do some voice exercises. The scope will record the vocal cords while voice exercises are performed.
- The scope will be gently removed once the test is done.
- The procedure may take less than 30 minutes depending on the voice exercises recommended by the doctor.
- The test can be a little uncomfortable; however, it is not painful for most patients.
- In some cases, additional procedures, such as vocal fold injections or endoscopic excision of nodules, may be performed at the same time as stroboscopy.
- If no additional procedures are performed the patient may leave after the test is done. They may be able to return to normal activities on the same day.
Types of stroboscopy scopes
Two different kinds of scopes are used for stroboscopy. They are:
- The rigid scope is placed on the tongue and looks over the back edge. It does not go down the throat; it may just go to the back of the mouth. Because the rigid scope can have a larger diameter, it often provides a better, more detailed, and well-lit image.
- Sometimes a thin (3 mm) flexible scope is used. This is placed through the nose and sits behind the uvula. This naso-endoscope allows viewing more of the throat, the nasal passages, and the vocal folds. Because the camera chip is at the leading tip of this scope, it can also provide a clear, detailed picture.
Possible limitations:
The limitation of stroboscopy is that the procedure is operator dependent. This means that the success of the procedure and the quality of the images depend on the skills of the physician performing the procedure. The interpretation of stroboscopy results is likewise dependent on the clinician.
Possible complications:
In general, stroboscopy is a safe procedure and is well tolerated by patients. However, the following are a few complications:
- The patient’s discomfort during the procedure.
- Pain is minimal (if any) and resolves spontaneously.
- Problems with the airway, such as breathing difficulty, may occur but rarely happens.
- There have also been reports of adverse reactions to the anesthetic used or the scope; however, these also occur infrequently.
- Other problems may be attributed to other associated procedures performed at the same time.
Why is the stroboscopy test performed?
A doctor may order a stroboscopy test to look for causes of voice problems, such as:
- Loss of voice (may occur because of inflamed voice box or laryngitis, especially when associated with a painful cough and harsh breathing).
- Hoarseness that has no clear cause and does not go away.
- Other symptoms include breathing difficulty or hemoptysis (blood in the sputum).
- The procedure can likewise diagnose benign conditions including vocal cord nodules, cysts, and polyps. The test can also be used to evaluate patients with vocal cord paralysis. Stroboscopy can also be performed to diagnose malignant conditions, such as laryngeal cancer, and monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of various laryngeal pathologies.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowTop What Is a Stroboscopy Test? Related Articles
Common Medical Abbreviations & Terms
Doctors, pharmacists, and other health-care professionals use abbreviations, acronyms, and other terminology for instructions and information in regard to a patient's health condition, prescription drugs they are to take, or medical procedures that have been ordered. There is no approved this list of common medical abbreviations, acronyms, and terminology used by doctors and other health- care professionals. You can use this list of medical abbreviations and acronyms written by our doctors the next time you can't understand what is on your prescription package, blood test results, or medical procedure orders. Examples include:
- ANED: Alive no evidence of disease. The patient arrived in the ER alive with no evidence of disease.
- ARF: Acute renal (kidney) failure
- cap: Capsule.
- CPAP: Continuous positive airway pressure. A treatment for sleep apnea.
- DJD: Degenerative joint disease. Another term for osteoarthritis.
- DM: Diabetes mellitus. Type 1 and type 2 diabetes
- HA: Headache
- IBD: Inflammatory bowel disease. A name for two disorders of the gastrointestinal (BI) tract, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
- JT: Joint
- N/V: Nausea or vomiting.
- p.o.: By mouth. From the Latin terminology per os.
- q.i.d.: Four times daily. As in taking a medicine four times daily.
- RA: Rheumatoid arthritis
- SOB: Shortness of breath.
- T: Temperature. Temperature is recorded as part of the physical examination. It is one of the "vital signs."
How Can I Stop My Child From Coughing?
Treatment for cough is not recommended unless the cough interferes with the child’s sleep or activity or is accompanied by a fever. Different age groups of children require different therapies to stop them from coughing. Some good home remedies to treat cough in children include honey, warm milk, hydration, steam inhalation, resting, saline nose drops and other strategies.
Cough: 19 Tips on How to Stop a Cough
Learn how to stop coughing attacks without medicine at night and at other times naturally. Learn about 19 tips to stop nighttime and persistent cough. Causes of excessive coughing include prescription medications, allergies, cigarette smoke, heart disease, and infections. Home remedies include natural herbs and supplements like ginger, honey, turmeric, and mint.
Larynx Cancer (Throat Cancer)
Symptoms and signs of cancer of the larynx, the organ at the front of the neck, include hoarseness, a lump in the neck, sore throat, cough, problems breathing, bad breath, earache, and weight loss. Treatment for larynx cancer depends on the stage (the extent) of the disease. Radiation therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy are all forms of treatment for laryngeal cancer.
Cold, Flu, and Cough: Things That Suppress Your Immune System
A strong immune system is your best protection against infections and illnesses. Find out what can weaken that defense.
What Can I Take for a Cough While Pregnant?
Seasonal flu, colds, and allergies are common ailments affecting most people all round the year. You must always be cautious of any medication that you take. This is especially true in pregnancy and during breastfeeding, given the effects these drugs may have on the unborn or breastfed child.
What Is a Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) Used For?
A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) is a device inserted into the area behind the mouth and nose, connecting them to the food pipe (the pharynx) to allow ventilation, oxygenation, and administration of anesthetic gases, without the need for inserting a tube in the windpipe (endotracheal intubation). It was initially used mainly in an operating room setting, but is also used in the emergency setting. Complications include aspiration of stomach contents, local irritation, upper airway injuries, mild sympathetic response, obstruction, laryngospasm, pulmonary edema, and bronchoconstriction.
Why Am I Coughing Up Bloody Mucus?
Coughing up blood may be caused by benign conditions such as a throat infection or very serious conditions such as lung cancer. Learn when to go to the ER.
Why Do I Have the Chills? Reasons Other Than Fever
Chills and fever often come as a combo, but sometimes chills happen with a normal temperature. Find out what could be behind these types of shivers.