Vol 49, No 4 (2011)
Original paper
Published online: 2012-01-16
Videostroboscopic and morphological aspects of voice disturbances in patients with larynx atrophy and coexisting hypopharynx cancer
DOI: 10.5603/FHC.2011.0090
Folia Histochem Cytobiol 2011;49(4):659-663.
Abstract
Vocal folds play a crucial role in voice production. The physiological vibrations of vocal folds depend
on the unchanged multilayered structure of the vocal folds mucosa. Morphological changes of mucosa are the
cause of voice quality disorders — dysphonia. The aim of this study was to determine the morphological base of
dysphonia in patients with vocal folds atrophy. A group of 24 patients with larynx atrophy confirmed by endoscopic
(VLS) and stroboscopic (VLSS) examination of the larynx was included in the study. The morphological
assessment of the larynx mucosa was carried out with the use of the transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Ultramorphological examinations revealed changes in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of
the vocal folds mucosa. An increased number of collagenous fibers, fibroblasts with signs of vacuolar degeneration
inflammatory cells and a decreased number of blood vessels and pericytes were observed. Morphological
changes found in the epithelium, basal membrane and lamina propria of the vocal folds mucosa were the
cause of disorders of vocal folds vibrations registered in the stroboscopic examination of the larynx (VLSS).
(Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica 2011; Vol. 49, No. 4, pp. 659–663)
Keywords: larynxvocal fold mucosalarynx atrophylamina propriavideolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS)transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
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