Laryngovideostroboscopy in children--diagnostic possibilities and constraints.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report our experience with laryngovideostroboscopy (LVS) in consecutively examined children patients.

METHODS: The study included 150 children (2.5-14 years of age) diagnosed with dysphonia. Patients were divided into three age groups: group I - from 2.5 to 6 years of age (n = 31), group II - from 6 to 10 years of age (n = 73), and group III--from 10 to 14 years of age (n = 46). LVS was performed during the second visit. 3.5mg of dormicum were administered orally 30 min prior to LVS in all children from group I and in some patients belonging to group II. Local anesthesia of the pharyngeal mucosa was not needed in any case.

RESULTS: In nine out of 150 children, it was not possible to perform LVS during the first attempt. In eight of these children, the examination was performed successfully during another visit with satisfactory LVS images obtained. LVS revealed soft vocal fold nodules in 85 patients along with other organic changes found in five children: congenital laryngeal web (n = 1), vocal fold cysts (n = 3), and vocal fold paralysis (n = 1). Hyper-functional dysphonia was diagnosed in the remaining 60 subjects.

CONCLUSIONS: In order to perform successful LVS in children patient, the purpose and methodology of this examination should be explained to parents on the first visit whereas an attempt to perform LVS should be undertaken during the second visit. Oral administration of dormicum 30min prior to the examination is advisable, particularly in younger children, and allows us to avoid the use of local anesthetics.