What is stroboscopy?
Laryngeal stroboscopy is a procedure Felipe J. Martinez MD uses to assess vocal cord movement. Your vocal folds vibrate when you create sound, and using stroboscopy, your provider can detect any abnormalities in the position of your vocal cords that wouldn’t be visible to the naked eye.
Stroboscopy technology creates detailed images of your vocal folds that can help your provider in making a diagnosis and that they can use for comparison over time.
Why would I need a stroboscopy?
Stroboscopy can diagnose the cause of symptoms affecting your voice. Conditions affecting your larynx typically cause problems with speech that can alter your voice. You may have symptoms such as:
- Hoarseness
- Dysphonia (clergyman's throat)
- Breathing difficulties
- Hemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Vocal cord paralysis
Stroboscopy is a valuable tool in diagnosing the cause of these symptoms. It’s also useful for monitoring the effectiveness of any treatment you’re having for laryngeal conditions.
What happens during a stroboscopy?
To carry out stroboscopy, your provider passes a flashing light down a flexible tube called a laryngoscope. The light flashes correspond to the frequency of your voice. A microphone picks up the frequency of the vibrations in your vocal folds, triggering the flashes of light.
If the light flashes match the vibrations in your vocal cords, it produces a clear and detailed image. Slowing down the light flashes causes the images to appear in slow motion. The stroboscopy procedure is carried out at the same time as a laryngoscopy, which is the examination of the vocal fold anatomy.
Stroboscopy is an outpatient procedure that takes place at Felipe J. Martinez MD. You are awake during stroboscopy, as you need to be able to make sounds at certain times. However, you do have a local anesthetic to make sure you’re comfortable.
When your tongue and the back of your neck feel numb, your provider passes the laryngoscope down your throat. A rigid laryngoscope goes through your mouth; a flexible one goes through your nose.
When the laryngoscope is in the right place, your provider asks you to make specific sounds at different pitches and volumes.
What might a stroboscopy find?
There are numerous conditions that can affect your larynx and vocal cords. Some can be benign, for example:
Stroboscopy can also help diagnose more serious diseases such as laryngeal cancer.
If you need to undergo stroboscopy, Felipe J. Martinez MD has exceptional skills in carrying out stroboscopy and interpreting the images. Call today to find out more or book an appointment online.
