Sulcus Vocalis

The question. Sulcus vocalis is a groove in the vocal fold that impairs vibration and is hard to diagnose and to treat. The research asks how to characterise its subtypes clinically, how to model it experimentally, and how to detect it more reliably.

The approach. Three connected methods: clinical studies describing the demographics and features of the type II (vergeture) subtype; development of an animal model for type II sulcus to study it experimentally; and a deep-learning method to diagnose sulcus from videostroboscopy.

Current status. Published work covers the clinical characterisation of type II sulcus, an animal model, and an AI-based diagnostic approach. Representative papers: Unraveling Sulcus Vergeture (Type II) (Journal of Voice, 2025); Development of an Animal Model for Type II Sulcus (Journal of Voice, 2025); Artificial intelligence based diagnosis of sulcus (European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, 2024). See Publications for links.

Collaboration. We welcome collaboration on diagnostic validation and on treatment studies for sulcus.