Why is a Laryngoscopy Done?

Your SFENTA™ physician will likely recommend a laryngoscopy if you are experiencing the following symptoms:

  • A breathy, hoarse, or weak voice
  • Sensation of a lump in the throat
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Throat and ear pain
  • Bloody mucus
  • Chronic cough
Doctor checking on a patient

Indirect or Direct Flexible Laryngoscopy

You have two options for this diagnostic test: indirect and direct.

With an indirect laryngoscopy, your doctor will hold a small mirror at the back of your throat while simultaneously shining a bright light into your mouth. He or she will then ask you to make high-pitched and low-pitched sounds so your vocal cords can be evaluated.

With direct laryngoscopy, your doctor will use a thin flexible scope to examine your throat. If you can tolerate the exam, no anesthesia is necessary. However, many patients require a local anesthetic to numb the throat. To perform the test, your doctor will insert a scope through your nose and down your throat to obtain a clear and unobstructed view of your airway.

Your Results

In general, visualizing the larynx with direct or indirect laryngoscopy is sufficient to arrive at a definitive diagnosis and rule out a number of conditions. If any abnormalities are found, your SFENTA™ physician will review them with you. In some cases, he or she will also take fluid or tissue samples from suspicious areas. The samples will then be sent to a lab where they will be examined under a microscope to look for the presence of unusual or cancerous cells.

Contact SFENTA Today

If you’re experiencing chronic voice and throat symptoms, a flexible or indirect laryngoscopy can help diagnose the underlying cause of your issue. Contact SFENTA™ today to schedule an appointment.

With 37 convenient locations across the South Florida area, we’re never far away.

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