Videolaryngostroboscopy, or laryngeal stroboscopy, is an examination that uses an intermittent light synchronized with the frequency of the vocal cycle to evaluate the vibratory function of the vocal folds.
The most commonly used laryngeal stroboscopes are rigid endoscopes, mainly because of the greater magnification they provide.
What we see on the monitor is an illusion of the vocal folds’ movement in slow motion, which allows us to more clearly identify any lesion that interferes with the normal mucosal wave—such as vocal fold masses, infiltrates, scars, atrophy, among others—and also enables follow-up and assessment of therapeutic outcomes.
To perform videolaryngostroboscopy or laryngeal stroboscopy, the patient should be seated with their back in an upright position. The rigid endoscope is inserted through the mouth while the tongue is protruded, and the patient is then asked to produce the phoneme “ee” for a few seconds.
It is a simple, quick, and painless procedure. However, as with fibrolaryngoscopy, in some patients with a very strong gag reflex, temporary anesthesia of the pharynx with a spray anesthetic may be necessary.
For more information about this examination, please feel free to contact us.