As with all endoscopies, the purpose of laryngoscopy is to visualize internal organs, such as the larynx, for the purpose of examination. Especially in the case of the larynx, mirroring cannot be dispensed with, since alternative methods such as X-rays cannot image the larynx in the way that is required to detect diseases of the mucosa of the larynx.
What is laryngoscopy?
Laryngoscopy involves viewing the inside of a person’s larynx through an endoscopic procedure. Laryngoscopy involves looking at the inside of a person’s larynx. The reasons why this is necessary may vary. Because it is painless and usually has no side effects, even the first signs of a disease of the larynx can be reason to examine it more closely during a laryngoscopy. A persistent hoarseness that does not subside by itself after a few days can be one of these reasons. The same applies to pain in the throat and pharynx, which is often accompanied by penetrating bad breath and is considered a sure sign that an inflammation of the larynx could be present.
Function, effect, and goals
Finally, laryngoscopy is used to detect the formation of tumors at an early stage so that countermeasures such as surgical removal can be initiated as quickly as possible. Smokers, in particular, are advised to regularly visit their ear, nose, and throat (ENT) physician for a preventive checkup, in order to have a laryngoscopy performed by him or her. The reason for this recommendation is the increased risk in smokers of developing a laryngeal tumor. Thus, preventive examinations are all the more urgent in this case. As already mentioned, laryngoscopy is performed by an ENT physician, as he or she specializes in it as part of his or her practical training. A medical distinction is made between direct and indirect laryngoscopy. Indirect laryngoscopy, which is performed by ENT physicians much more frequently than direct laryngoscopy, is primarily used to examine the front sections of the larynx. To do this, the doctor holds the patient’s tongue with one hand and uses his other hand to operate the so-called laryngoscope. This medical instrument is a small round mirror attached to the upper end of a metal pin. This allows the doctor to examine the larynx even in places where he cannot look due to the angle. Indirect laryngoscopy requires no preparation on the part of the patient. Direct laryngoscopy is more difficult in comparison. First of all, the patient must not be conscious. This means that an anesthetic is administered before the examination begins. Then the patient’s head is tilted back slightly. To prevent the teeth from being damaged by the metal instruments during the examination, the patient is given a mouth guard. A hollow metal tube is then inserted through the patient’s mouth to the upper entrance of the larynx and fixed there. Through this tube, the doctor then inserts his endoscope; a “tube-like instrument” with a camera installed at the upper end that allows the doctor to examine the larynx on a monitor. If he or she detects suspicious areas that deviate from the normal mucosa, the doctor can take tissue samples using his or her endoscope while the direct laryngoscopy is still in progress and later send them to the laboratory for histological examination, that is, fine tissue analysis of the mucosal sample. Direct laryngoscopy takes between 15 to 30 minutes, depending on the case.
Risks, side effects, and hazards
There are usually no risks associated with either direct or indirect laryngoscopy. Only the circumstance that the physician accidentally damages the larynx during the assessment could come into question as a possible risk, although this is rather the rarest exception. Greater forces would be required to damage the larynx and its vocal cords, which could then be intentional rather than accidental. In the case of direct laryngoscopy, there are also possible side effects in the form of sensitivity to the anesthetic administered.
