Medical and vocal history in the evaluation of dysphonia.

Dysphonia is one of the more common complaints resulting in referral to the otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeon. The accurate diagnosis and management of dysphonia is based on a complete medical and vocal history. This article presents an approach to elicit pertinent information from the patient presenting with dysphonia. The evaluation is divided into the history of present illness, past medical history, past surgical history, review of systems, medications, and a social history.