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Stroboscopy is a non-invasive diagnostic test for vocal cord problems. A flexible tube with a strobe light is inserted down the throat to capture video images of vocal cord activity. The procedure is painless and takes less than half an hour. It can detect cysts, tumors, and other abnormalities that are difficult to recognize with other tests. The test is performed in an outpatient setting and is low-risk. It involves making high, medium, and low-pitched “e” sounds to reveal subtle anomalies. Results can be used to determine the need for further testing, medication, or surgery.
A stroboscopy is a valuable diagnostic test that can be used to detect problems with your voicemail. An experienced otolaryngologist or speech pathologist can administer the painless test in less than half an hour in an outpatient setting. The stroboscopy test involves running a long, flexible tube down your throat that emits quick, bright light pulses. The frequency of the strobe light is adjusted to match the frequency of vibration of the vocal cords, allowing the clinician to see a clear video image of vocal cord activity. The procedure can detect problems such as cysts, tumors, particularly tight or loose cords, and other abnormalities that would be difficult to recognize with less sophisticated types of tests.
The stroboscopy procedure uses a well-known phenomenon of light and human vision to reproduce very fast and subtle movements in a kind of slow motion video. The strobe frequency is set close to the normal frequency of the vocal folds when a certain tone is produced. As a patient vocalises, the strobe illuminates the strings as they tighten, relax, rise and fall. The produced video feed shows the average movement of the cords over a given time interval, which clinicians use to determine abnormalities in the movement or structure of the cords.
A person who has a chronic sore throat, wheezing, and difficulty speaking may be a candidate for a stroboscopy if other diagnostic tests fail to uncover an underlying cause. During an initial evaluation, the doctor can explain the procedure in detail and make sure the patient is comfortable. The stroboscopy test is minimally invasive, very low risk, and causes no pain or discomfort for most individuals.
At the beginning of the procedure, the patient is seated in a comfortable chair with his head tilted back. A topical anesthetic is applied to the back of the tongue and throat to prevent pain and gagging. The strobe is carefully fed through the mouth and along the larynx to the site of the vocal cords. The strobe light is turned on and the patient is asked to hold an “e” sound along at his normal pitch. The strobe frequency is adjusted to match and the clinician begins the recording process.
In most stroboscopy procedures, patients must undergo several rounds of testing while making high, medium, and low-pitched “e” sounds. Some voicemail problems aren’t easily discerned at certain tones, so changing the tone and testing multiple times could reveal a subtle anomaly. Once the test is complete, the doctor and patient can immediately review the video to evaluate the results. Based on the results of the stroboscopy, decisions can be made about the need for surgical treatment, medication, or further testing.
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