Diagnostic utility of videostroboscopy in hoarseness disorders. A hospital-based cross-sectional study in a tertiary care hospital in Telangana.

Dr. Akram Unnisa  Sufia; Dr. Talari  Yasaswi; Dr. Koppolu Sowjanya  Kumari; Dr T. Maheswari  Rani

doi:10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2413

Authors

Dr. Akram Unnisa Sufia Senior Resident, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India
Dr. Talari Yasaswi Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India
Dr. Koppolu Sowjanya Kumari Associate Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India
Dr. T. Maheswari Rani Professor and Head, Department of Otorhinolaryngology,ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51168/sjhrafrica.v6i12.2413

Keywords:

hoarseness, dysphonia, videostroboscopy, laryngostroboscopy, vocal cord lesions, mucosal wave

Abstract

Background

Hoarseness (dysphonia) is a common otolaryngology presentation that affects communication, work efficiency and quality of life.

Objectives

To determine the extent to which videostroboscopy refines diagnosis in patients presenting with hoarseness and to document the additional diagnostic information obtained beyond initial indirect/video laryngoscopy.

Methods

A hospital-based observational study was conducted in a tertiary ENT centre among 147 patients presenting with hoarseness. After a structured clinical history and routine laryngeal examination, videostroboscopy was performed to assess glottic closure, mucosal wave characteristics, lesion morphology, vibratory symmetry and vocal fold mobility. Diagnoses recorded before stroboscopy were compared descriptively with diagnoses after stroboscopic evaluation to identify diagnostic shifts and newly detected abnormalities, including among patients initially labelled as having no abnormality detected.

Results

A total of 60 patients with persistent hoarseness were evaluated. Most participants were male (38, 63.3%), while females accounted for 22 (36.7%), yielding a male-to-female ratio of 1.7:1. The most affected age group was 31–50 years (36.7%). Videostroboscopy showed vocal cord nodules in 18 cases (30.0%), vocal cord polyps in 12 (20.0%), chronic laryngitis in 10 (16.7%), vocal cord cysts in 8 (13.3%), early glottic carcinoma in 6 (10.0%), and functional dysphonia in 6 (10.0%). It detected mucosal wave abnormalities in 48 patients (80.0%) and asymmetric vocal fold vibration in 42 (70.0%). Compared with conventional laryngoscopy, videostroboscopy provided additional diagnostic information in 21 cases (35.0%). Its diagnostic yield was significantly higher for subtle mucosal lesions and vibratory abnormalities (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Videostroboscopy enhances diagnostic precision in hoarseness by revealing clinically meaningful vibratory abnormalities and by distinguishing visually similar lesions through mucosal-wave and stiffness assessment.

Recommendations

Videostroboscopy should be integrated into routine evaluation of persistent or unexplained hoarseness, professional voice users, and suspected epithelial lesions to support early detection, appropriate triage and tailored therapy.

Author Biographies

Dr. Akram Unnisa Sufia, Senior Resident, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India

completed her MBBS from Osmania Medical College. She pursued her postgraduate training (MS in ENT) at Osmania Medical College, gaining strong clinical and surgical expertise in otorhinolaryngology. She subsequently worked as a Senior Resident at Government Medical College, Vikarabad, where she has been involved in comprehensive ENT patient care, clinical decision-making, and procedural management in a tertiary care setting. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4740-5234
Dr. Talari Yasaswi, Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India

completed her MBBS at Chalmeda Anand Rao Institute of Medical Sciences. She pursued postgraduate training in Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences. She subsequently worked as a Senior Resident at Osmania Medical College, gaining extensive clinical and surgical exposure in comprehensive ENT care.

She served as a Former Assistant Professor at Gandhi Medical College, Secunderabad, contributing to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, clinical mentoring, and patient management in a tertiary care setting. Currently, Dr. Talari Yasaswi is working as an Assistant Professor in the Department of ENT at Government Medical College, Vikarabad, Telangana, India. Her academic interests include evidence-based ENT practice, surgical outcomes, and advancing clinical training in otorhinolaryngology. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8686-2085
Dr. Koppolu Sowjanya Kumari, Associate Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India

is an Associate Professor in the Department of ENT at Government Medical College (GMC), Vikarabad. She is actively involved in tertiary-level patient care, academic teaching, and clinical training of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Her professional focus includes comprehensive otorhinolaryngology services, evidence-based practice, and strengthening academic standards in ENT education. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4597-4545
Dr. T. Maheswari Rani, Professor and Head, Department of Otorhinolaryngology,ENT, Government Medical College Vikarabad, Telangana, India

is Professor and Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) at Government Medical College, Vikarabad, Telangana, India. She provides leadership in clinical services, academic teaching, and postgraduate training, with a strong focus on evidence-based ENT practice and patient-centered care. She is actively involved in mentoring, departmental administration, and strengthening surgical and clinical standards in otorhinolaryngology. ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0210-7569

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