The Role of Flexible Nasolaryngoscopy in the Management of Persistent Throat Symptoms in Fallujah City, Iraq

Persistent throat symptoms are common among patients who present to ENT clinic. Patients with these symptoms are often examined by flexible nasolaryngoscopy to exclude serious conditions such as laryngeal carcinoma. The aim of this study is to determine the role of flexible nasolaryngoscopy in the management of persistent throat symptoms. In a prospective study, one hundred and five patients presented with persistent throat symptom (hoarseness, dysphagia, persistent cough, persistent sore throat and globus sensation ) for more than two weeks. Flexible nasolaryngoscopy done for all patients in ENT outpatient clinic in Al-Fallujah General Hospital, demographics, procedure indications, complications, the findings and the changes in management had been studied. The mean age was 45.6 years. The most common indications for the flexible nasolaryngoscopy were hoarseness (51.5%), globus sensation (28.6%), persistent cough (11.4%), dysphagia (5.7%) and persistent sore throat (2.8%); the most common findings were vocal abuse (32.4%), globus sensation due to anxiety (23.8%), laryngo-pharyngeal reflux (11.4%).Minor complications was happened in two patients. Three patients (2.9%) were diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and this diagnosis was associated with history of heavy smoking. There will be changes in the therapeutic plan in 80% of the patients. From this study we can concluded that flexible nasolaryngoscopy was a safe procedure in the outpatient clinic, and it can provide a good help in the diagnosis and treatment of persistent throat symptoms especially serious conditions such as laryngeal carcinoma.