Vocal fold bamboo nodes: diagnosis, treatment and pathology

Abstract

To investigate the clinical features, pathology and treatment of a rarely seen laryngeal lesion, the vocal fold bamboo nodes. Two patients with vocal fold bamboo nodes were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical features, pathology and treatment were presented. Video laryngoscope examination showed bilaterally creamy yellow transverse band like deposits in the submucosa, which were the typical vocal fold bamboo nodes in patients with autoimmune disease. Immunofluorescence pathology showed IgA, C1q and IgM deposition in lamina propria. Both patients were initially treated with oral hormones and one patient subsequently underwent submucosal resection of the lesion. The results of pathological and immunofluorescence investigations were reported in this paper, together with a discussion of the relevant literature. Vocal fold bamboo node is a special laryngeal lesion in patients with autoimmune disease. The pathological results showed immune complexes in the vocal fold lamina propria. A surgical intervention can be applied if steroid drugs are not effective or the dysraphism of the vocal folds exists due to the bamboo nodes.