Efficacy of percutaneous vocal fold injections for benign laryngeal lesions: Prospective multicenter study

Abstract

Conclusion: Percutaneous steroid injection (PSI) may be a useful alternative modality for treatment of benign vocal fold lesions. Objectives: When patients refuse general anesthesia or voice therapy for benign vocal fold diseases (Reinke's edema, vocal polyp, nodule, and scarring), there are no other options available. We conducted an analysis of the effects of PSI as an alternative treatment for benign vocal fold diseases. Methods: From October 2008 to March 2010, 130 patients with benign vocal fold disease who refused general anesthesia or showed no response to voice therapy underwent PSI. From this group, the present study included 115 patients who completed the evaluation before PSI and at the first and third month after PSI and also an additional 25 patients who completed evaluation at the sixth month after PSI. Results: Among 115 patients in the study, 40 cases (34.8%) showed complete remission and 57 cases (49.6%) showed partial remission. As a result, overall improvement rates were 84.4%. Almost all objective and subjective parameters showed statistical improvement at the first and third month after PSI (p < 0.05). Jitter and all subjective parameters maintained statistical improvement until the sixth month. No severe complications, such as fold atrophy, were observed.

Keywords::

• Reinke's edema
• vocal polyp
• vocal nodule
• vocal fold lesions

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Bold type indicates that Reinke's edema and vocal nodules showed excellent response rates in over 90% of patients.