Laryngoscopy and nasolaryngoscopy

Laryngoscopy may be done in different ways: Indirect laryngoscopy uses a small mirror held at the back of your throat. Your health care provider shines a light on the mirror to view the throat area. This is a simple procedure. Most of the time, it can be done in your provider's office while you are awake. A medicine…

Preparation will depend on the type of laryngoscopy you will have. If the exam will be done under general anesthesia, you may be told not to drink or eat anything for several hours before the test.

How the test will feel depends on which type of laryngoscopy is done. Indirect laryngoscopy using a mirror or stroboscopy can cause gagging. For this reason, it is not often used in children under age 6 to 7 or those who gag easily. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy can be done in children. It may cause a feeling of pressure…

This test can help your provider diagnose many conditions involving the throat and voice box. Your provider may recommend this test if you have: Bad breath that does not go away Breathing problems, including noisy breathing (stridor) Long-term (chronic) cough Coughing up blood Difficulty swallowing Ear pain that does…

A normal result means the throat, voice box, and vocal cords appear normal.

Abnormal results may be due to: Acid reflux (GERD) , which can cause redness and swelling of the vocal cords Cancer of the throat or voice box Nodules on the vocal cords Polyps (benign lumps) on the voice box Inflammation in the throat Thinning of the muscle and tissue in the voice box (presbylaryngis)

Laryngoscopy is a safe procedure. Risks depend on the specific procedure, but may include: Allergic reaction to anesthesia, including breathing and heart problems Infection Major bleeding Nosebleed Spasm of the vocal cords, which causes breathing problems Ulcers in the lining of the mouth/throat Injury to the tongue…

Indirect mirror laryngoscopy should NOT be done: In infants or very young children If you have acute epiglottitis, an infection or swelling of the flap of tissue in front of the voice box If you cannot open your mouth very wide

Armstrong WB, Vokes DE, Tjoa T, Verma SP. Malignant tumors of the larynx. In: Flint PW, Francis HW, Haughey BH, et al, eds. Cummings Otolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 105. Mark LJ, Hillel AT, Lester L, Akst SA, Cover R, Herzer K. General considerations of anesthesia…