Varix of the Vocal Cord in the Professional Voice User

Abstract

Singers and actors who abuse their voices may develop either polyps, nodules, contact ulcers, and/or contact granuloma. Rarely a vascular lesion consisting of a hypertrophic vessel projecting above the medial or superior mucosal surface of the vocal cord is encountered that may contain a small knucklelike deformity. Clinically this is not dissimilar in appearance to a vessel found on the anterior nasal septum that is responsible for epistaxis. When the voice is strained, these vessels can rupture, causing recurrent submucosal hemorrhages in the professional voice user. The case described is that of a well-known actress in whom vocal abuse did not produce a submucosal hemorrhage from the varix but rather an edematous change and symptoms identical to those of a soft, early vocal cord nodule.