In Vivo Microvascular Patterns of Human Vocal Folds With Polyps Assessed by Rigid and Contact Laryngeal Endoscopy

Background: Microvascularization of the superior membranous surface of the human vocal fold tends to be parallel to its long axis. That vascular pattern changes in the presence of disease. Objective: To describe the microvascular alterations observed in human vocal folds affected by vocal fold polyp using rigid and contact laryngeal endoscopy. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted in 11 patients of both sexes with histopathologically confirmed vocal fold polyps who underwent laryngeal microsurgery associated with rigid and contact laryngeal endoscopy. D’Ávila’s classification (2002) was used to characterize microvascular alterations in three anatomic regions of the vocal fold: superior membranous surface, superior cartilaginous surface, and subglottic surface. Results: All 12 microvascular patterns described by D’Ávila were identified. Seventy-four altered microvessels were observed, predominantly ectatic parallel vessels and branching network vessels. Branching network microvessels were identified on the surface of the polyp. Conclusion: Vocal fold microvascularization is altered in the presence of polyp. The presence of a branching network microvascular pattern on the surface of a single or multiple vocal fold lesion strongly suggests vocal fold polyp.