PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Ellen L. Ferraro
AU  - Rebecca Chota Nelson
AU  - Paul C. Bryson
TI  - Hoarseness: When to observe and when to refer
AID  - 10.3949/ccjm.90a.23010
DP  - 2023 Aug 01
TA  - Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
PG  - 475--481
VI  - 90
IP  - 8
4099  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/90/8/475.short
4100  - http://www.ccjm.org/content/90/8/475.full
SO  - Cleve Clin J Med2023 Aug 01; 90
AB  - The terms hoarseness and dysphonia are used interchangeably, and both describe a type of altered vocal quality affecting one-third of patients. While hoarseness may be secondary to benign conditions such as reflux or viral laryngitis, it may suggest benign or malignant vocal-fold pathology. It is important for caregivers to know how to evaluate, treat, and when to refer patients for direct visualization via laryngoscopy. In this article, we review basic laryngeal anatomy and function, symptoms of vocal-fold pathology, and current guidelines from the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery on the diagnosis and treatment of dysphonia, including patient referral.