Contact Ulcer of the Larynx

Attention was first called to contact ulcer of the larynx in 1928.1At that time 217 cases had been observed. Since then, 47 cases have been studied; other observers have confirmed the early observations and have added the very important, previously lacking, autopsy data.2The time seems to have arrived for a review of the subject. The disease, as compared to chronic laryngitis, for instance, cannot be regarded as common. In all, 245 cases are mentioned in the literature, but this is no criterion of frequency, as the condition is usually overlooked. The disease is a superficial ulceration occurring on one or both sides of the larynx posteriorly, the ulcerated surface coming in contact, on phonation, with the same region on the opposite cord, the latter being ulcerated or not, according to whether the ulceration is unilateral or bilateral. ETIOLOGY Age.—Contact ulcer is particularly a disease