Vocal fold varicosity manifesting as a recurrent hemorrhage. (Laryngoscopic Clinic).

A 47-year-old male tenor came to us complaining of a dry throat and a reduction in his dynamic range of 1 day's duration. He had traveled from Europe the previous day for an opera rehearsal, and he was scheduled to perform on opening night in 3 weeks. He had experienced a previous hemorrhage of the vocal fold 6 months earlier, and he had been told by his otolaryngologist that he had a "large blood vessel" on one of his vocal folds. The patient had no significant medical history other than the previous hemorrhage, and he was taking no medication.

Videostroboscopy detected a left true vocal fold hemorrhage and a prominent dorsal varicosity (figure). The patient was treated with strict voice rest for 1 week and counseled to not sing until he could have the varicosity treated surgically. He was advised to cancel his performance and was given a referral to a laryngologist near his home.

From the Van Lawrence Voice Institute (Dr. Beaver) and the Texas Voice Center (Dr. Stasney), Department of Otolaryngology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston.