Voice & Swallowing Diagnostic Tools

Functional testing for voice and swallowing disorders involves a variety of tools that allow your ENT specialist to visualize and diagnose conditions with greater accuracy.

Flex Laryngoscopy

Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy is the most common type of examination used to visualize the throat and voice box areas.

The exam utilizes a thin, flexible endoscope containing fiber optic cable that can be manipulated to examine areas not usually seen by traditional examination techniques.

After a local anesthetic has been applied to the nasal cavity, the endoscope is inserted through the nose and passed into the throat under direct visualization. Most patients tolerate this examination without much difficulty.

Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy can be combined with stroboscopy to examine the vocal cord's further vibratory capability.

Videostroboscopy

During the diagnostic process, specialists focus on the vocal fold closure pattern, vocal fold vibratory pattern, and the mucosal wave of each vocal fold when speaking (also known as phonation).

Videostroboscopy is a specialized tool used to illuminate the vocal cords during examinations. This tool synchronizes with vocal cord vibration to provide what appears to be a slow-motion view of vocal cord movement and vibration.

Videostroboscopy is best done in conjunction with video recording (know as videolaryngostroboscopy (LVS)), which allows for a detailed review of the examination and comparison with other examinations, if necessary.

If you think you may need one of these procedures, schedule your appointment with Northwest ENT and Allergy Center today.