Which vocal pathology is described as a benign, unilateral, fluid-filled lesion often resulting from a single episode of acute vocal trauma?

• A. Contact ulcers
• B. Vocal fold cyst
• C. Vocal fold polyp
• D. Vocal fold nodules

Answer: (C)

A vocal fold cyst fits this description. It is a benign, unilateral, fluid-filled sac that typically forms when a mucous gland duct becomes blocked, often after a single episode of acute vocal trauma such as a strong scream or sudden overuse. The cyst sits within the vocal fold tissue on one side, and its fluid content makes the tissue stiff and disrupts the normal vibratory pattern, leading to a breathy, rough, or decreased dynamic range voice.

In contrast, other common lesions have different features: nodules are usually bilateral and result from chronic voice misuse; contact ulcers occur at the posterior glottis and relate more to repetitive contact or reflux rather than a fluid-filled sac; polyps are often unilateral but can be more variable in appearance and may not be strictly fluid-filled like a cyst. The key clue here is the fluid-filled, unilateral nature typically stemming from a single traumatic event, which points to a vocal fold cyst.