Symptoms of granulomas
There are two types of granuloma which are contact granuloma and intubation granuloma.
Contact granuloma can be caused by voice abuse, chronic cough, habitual cough or laryngopharyngeal reflux.
This is usually found in men and the main symptoms are pain and foreign-body-sensation in the throat.
Intubation granuloma is often caused after a laryngeal surgery, bronchoscope test, or endotracheal intubation.
At the beginning, the granuloma becomes larger in size, but after certain days, it starts to degenerate.
In many cases, the granuloma comes bilaterally, and hoarseness is not severe. It is usually found in females.
Hoarseness would not be a main problem but the pain and foreign-body-sensation in the laryngopharyngeal
area could be the underlying problem.
Treatment for granulomas
Vocal rest and steroid can improve the condition. While the granuloma is growing, antibiotics can be helpful.
If the granuloma does not improve after these steps, a laryngeal microsurgery or steroid injection after an incision using CO2 laser may be effective.
The recently developed Pulsed-dye laser surgery using a laryngoscope can also remove the granuloma under local anesthesia.
