Scanning Electron Microscopy of Vocal Cord Hyperplasia, Keratosis, Papillomatosis, Dysplasia and Carcinoma

Abstract

The vocal cord fine surface structure was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the observations related to the light-microscopical (LM) findings after embedding and cutting. The SEM micrographs were assessed using a rating system based on 7 parameters. The proportion of “normd” and “abnorma” SEM areas varied within the respective histologic groups. There was, however, a significant difference between the SEM ratings in the group with hyperplasia-keratosis, with or without mild dysplasia, compared to the groups with severe dysplasia-carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma. In the small number of cases with moderate dysplasia and juvenile laryngeal papilloma, the SEM ratings displayed pronounced disparity.