Evaluation of dysphonic patients by general otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the instruments used by general otolaryngologists to visualize the larynx, assess the perception of the instruments' capabilities, and understand their comfort diagnosing specific etiologies of dysphonia.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional survey.

METHODS

One thousand randomly chosen general otolaryngologists from American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery were mailed a survey.

RESULTS

The response rate was 27.8%. Mean years in practice were 19.5. Mirror and fiberoptic laryngoscopy were most commonly used. Approximately 84.1% used stroboscopy and 33.7% reported laryngoscopy could assess vibration. Respondents were more comfortable diagnosing conditions with obvious laryngeal structural abnormalities compared with those without, such as central neurologic disorders (P≤0.001). Approximately 46.5% were concerned about overdiagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR).

CONCLUSIONS

Although 84.1% of general otolaryngologists use stroboscopy, one-third may not appreciate the differences between stroboscopy and laryngoscopy. General otolaryngologists are less comfortable diagnosing voice disorders without obvious laryngeal structural abnormalities, and nearly 50% are concerned that they overdiagnose LPR.