Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Benign Laryngeal Lesions: Insights from a Decade of Experience in a Tertiary Hospital.

Background: Benign laryngeal lesions, characterized by non-cancerous growths in the larynx, significantly impact voice quality and respiratory function. These lesions, which include vocal cord polyps, nodules, papillomas, and cysts, often result from factors such as vocal abuse, viral infections, and chronic inflammation. While studies on benign laryngeal lesions are well-documented globally, data specific to Northern Nigeria remains sparse. This study aims to analyze the demographics, clinical features, treatment modalities, and outcomes of benign laryngeal lesions over a decade in a tertiary otolaryngology center in Northern Nigeria.

Methodology: A retrospective review of 176 cases of benign laryngeal lesions was conducted over 10-years (2011-2020). Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical presentation, risk factors, lesion characteristics, and treatment outcomes. All patients underwent flexible laryngoscopy, with a subset receiving CT scans and histopathological examination. The study excluded malignant lesions.

Results: The study population comprised 123 males (69.9%) and 53 females (30.1%), with a male-to-female ratio of 2.3:1. The age range of patients was from 1.5 to 69 years, with a mean age of 34.74 years (±16.64). The most common presenting symptom was hoarseness (94.8%), and most lesions were vocal cord polyps (52.3%), followed by vocal cord nodules (34.7%) and juvenile-onset respiratory papilloma (6.8%). The glottic region was the most frequent site of lesion occurrence (94.9%). Treatment primarily involved voice rest (43.2%), direct laryngoscopy with excision (22.2%), and microlaryngeal surgery (8.0%). Treatment outcomes showed a cure rate of 40.9%, with a recurrence rate of 29.0%.

Conclusion: This study provides valuable insights into the demographic and clinical profiles of patients with benign laryngeal lesions in Northern Nigeria. The findings indicate a predominance of vocal cord polyps, significant gender disparity, and the effectiveness of surgical interventions. These results align with regional and international data but highlight the need for more localized studies to better understand the epidemiology and management of these lesions in Northern Nigeria. Further research should explore specific risk factors and the longterm outcomes of different treatment modalities.