[Cytodiagnosis in chronic laryngitis].

The cytodiagnosis is a simple noninvasive procedure which requires close cooperation between the clinician and an experienced cytologist. It enables important diagnostic and therapeutic recommendations on the basis of morphological findings. A total of 1000 smears of the larynx obtained from 430 patients with chronic laryngitis were examined. In a case- controlled study of 143 patients with chronic hyperplastic laryngitis, smokers and/or laryngeal dysplasia patients with a 9.6% risk for malignant transformation, were identified as risk groups needing cytological screening at intervals of 6 months to a year. In the cytodiagnostic evaluations the main emphasis should be placed on dysplasias and metaplasias. Performed systematically, cytologically assisted early examination of the larynx expands the diagnostic possibilities, and is a useful supplement to biopsy. In the risk group chronic hyperplastic laryngitis, cytodiagnosis can be used to screen suspicious lesions for tumors. Although it cannot replace histological examination, it is highly suitable for the early diagnosis and effective follow-up of precancerous epithelial changes of the larynx.