Teflon bulge (1 of 4)
Abducted, breathing position, standard light. The left vocal cord (right of image) was injected with Teflon paste decades ago, before contemporary materials and techniques were available. Note the bulge in the ventricle, and also at the free margin of the cord (arrows).

Teflon bulge (2 of 4)
Phonatory view, strobe light. Notice how the right vocal cord (left of image) must “wrap around” the convex left vocal cord.

Teflon bulge: after removal (3 of 4)
A few weeks after microsurgical “excavation” of part of the Teflon. Straighter free margin, and reduced bulge within the ventricle.

Teflon bulge: after removal (4 of 4)
Phonation, strobe light. In spite of blurring, can see that the match of the cords is improved, and this correlates with the patient’s much improved voice.

Teflon bulge (1 of 5)
Abducted (breathing) position. 25 years ago, this woman had left vocal cord paralysis and was injected with Teflon paste. Unfortunately, this bulge of Teflon is below the cord’s margin, rather than within its center, which is disrupting the person’s voice (see next photo and caption). Space for breathing is diminished but adequate.

Teflon bulge (2 of 5)
Phonation, open phase of vibration, with strobe light. Voice quality is poor, because the Teflon bulge interferes with vocal cord vibration by deflecting the pulmonary air stream, stretching and stiffening the tissue, and putting the vocal cords out of symmetry with each other. Treatment will involve removing part of the Teflon bulge.

Teflon bulge (3 of 5)
Phonation, closed phase of vibration.

Teflon bulge: after treatment (4 of 5)
A few months after debulking of the Teflon. The contour of the undersurface of the left cord (right of image) is still abnormal, but much less so. Compare with photo 1.

Teflon bulge: after treatment (5 of 5)
Strobe light, open phase of vibration, showing how the airstream delivered to the cords is now much less obstructed. Compare with photo 2.