Hemorrhage into a polyp

Case study (multiple photos): Nearly 50-year-old female with a hoarse voice for 15 years. The left vocal cord polyp has blood within it. This is visible on the office exam, but more clearly visible at the time of surgery when rigid endoscopes can be placed up next to the vocal cord. Vocal polyps often have enlarged vessels or capillaries leading to them. When these vessels take the brunt of the injury of the vocal cords gliding against each other, particularly in a talkative, loud person they often rupture. The blood that clots within them becomes very solid.