Evaluation of Various Laryngeal Pathologies: Videolaryngoscopy Versus Videolaryngostroboscopy

Voice disorders are common in various laryngeal pathologies. The aim of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of videolaryngostroboscopy (VLSS) over videolaryngoscopy (VLS) in laryngeal pathologies. This was a prospective observational study. Detailed examination was carried out for 80 cases which presented with different laryngeal pathologies. Cases were evaluated on the basis of VLS and VLSS in the same sitting and diagnosed separately. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated to find out the relationship between diagnoses made by VLS and VLSS. The diagnostic value of VLSS is significant; it has 98.15% Sensitivity and 50% specificity over VLS in finding true vocal cord abnormalities. Around one third of the cases, i.e. 26 cases (32.50%) were misdiagnosed on VLS. Also, VLSS gave additional diagnosis in 6 cases (7.50%) which were missed on VLS. However, the diagnoses revealed by VLS and VLSS were same in 48 cases (60%). The diagnostic value of VLSS correlated with the type of laryngeal pathology. Through the present study, it has been deduced that VLSS is the superior modality for diagnosing laryngeal pathologies. It offers better visualisation of the finer aspects of the vocal cords. It has various advantages over VLS in terms of sensitivity and specificity.