Highlights

Key Glossary Terms

Rigid Laryngoscopy
An examination of the voice box in which a rigid telescope is used; this examination provides the clearest magnified detail of the voice box, but the patient is unable to speak or sing during the exam

Flexible Laryngoscopy
An examination of the voice box in which a flexible fiberoptic scope is used; this examination allows the physician to view the voice box "in action," i.e. while the patient is producing sound

Stroboscopy
An examination in which a strobe light is combined with rigid or flexible laryngoscopy, allowing an examination of vocal fold vibration and vocal fold closure

Glossary

Since many voice disorders are caused by problems in the voice box and/or throat, a careful and detailed examination of the voice box and throat is key to the identification of the cause or causes of voice disorders. Several methods can be used to examine the throat and voice box.

• Rigid Laryngoscopy. Viewing the voice box in "crisp detail". Rigid laryngoscopy provides the clearest magnified view of the voice box. Viewing is done through a rigid telescope-tube passed through the patient's mouth, while the patient's tongue is held by the examiner. Images are usually recorded on video.
  • also called: telescopic laryngoscopy, transoral laryngoscopy
• Flexible Laryngoscopy. Viewing the voice box in action. Flexible laryngoscopy provides a magnified view of the voice box while the patient produces sound (speaking, singing, etc.). Viewing is done through a flexible viewing-tube passed through the patient's nose to the back of the throat, thus allowing the examiner to view the voice box while the patient speaks, sings, coughs, sniffs, etc. Images are usually recorded on video.
  • also called: fiberoptic laryngoscopy, fiberoptic flexible endoscopy, nasopharyngoscopy, transnasal laryngoscopy
• Laryngeal Stroboscopy. Specialized viewing of vocal fold vibration. Laryngeal stroboscopy is a specialized type of laryngoscopy that involves controlled high-speed flashes of light timed to the frequency of the patient's voice. This provides a "slow-motion" view of vocal fold vibration during sound production.
  • also called: videostroboscopy, laryngostroboscopy, laryngo-videostroboscopy, stroboscopic laryngoscopy, strobolaryngoscopy

These technologies provides valuable practitioner and patient information. These technologies allow images to be recorded on video or other media formats. This permits examiners to review the images of the voice box frame-by-frame, capture still and close-up images, and to re-review images with members of the voice care team. Patients can also view the recorded images and see the reason(s) for their voice problems. (For more information, see Voice Care Team.)

• An otolaryngologist or speech-language pathologist typically performs laryngoscopy and/or stroboscopy. The examiner's training and background experience is critical in performing and evaluating laryngoscopy and stroboscopy findings.
• In certain situations, stroboscopy may be performed by a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant under the supervision of a physician.

Frequently, flexible laryngoscopy, rigid laryngoscopy and stroboscopy are recorded on some type of playback media: videotape or DVD. The reasons for this are:

• "Instant-Replay" Review of Examinations Critical. This allows the clinician to review the examination repeatedly, often for a "frame-by-frame" analysis. This review of the examination of the voice box, vocal fold structure, vibration and closure is analogous to the instant replay method used in televised sporting events. Playback media recording is especially important in stroboscopy because of the intricacy and rapid speed of vocal fold vibration.
• Records for Comparison Over Time. Recording the laryngeal examination on video allows comparison of voice box structure and function over time. By comparing old examinations of the voice box with a current examination, the voice care team can monitor the success or failure of various treatments and also observe any changes over time.

Understanding Laryngoscopy