Abstract
BackgroundBenign vocal fold lesions identified in professional voice users, frequently require further treatment after failure of conservative measures. The role of vocal fold steroid injection as a treatment option for select benign lesions is the focus of this study. Steroid injection may avoid phonosurgery in some individuals thereby reducing the potential for adverse side effects associated with surgery.ObjectiveThe purpose of the study is to review the effect of steroid injection on vocal function in professional voice users associated with a benign lesion(s) using the Voice Handicap Index-10.MethodThis study is a retrospective review of patients (professional voice users) that underwent 1 or more steroid injection(s) between July 2014-December 2018. The Voice Handicap Index-10 was compared from pre to post treatment. Patients were identified using billing code data for laryngeal injection. Patient demographics (age, gender, profession), previous phonosurgery, date of steroid injection and follow up dates as well as VHI-10 scores were collected from the electronic medical record.ResultsTwenty four patients were identified. The mean Voice HandicapIndex-10 score decreased from 23.5 pre injection to 17.8 post injection which represented a reduction of 24.3%. Vocal fold steroid injection procedure in our series was associated with one complication.ConclusionVocal fold steroid injection for benign lesions is a safe, well-tolerated procedure with an improvement in vocal function without surgical intervention. Steroid injection should be considered as a treatment option to avoid surgery in patients with select vocal fold lesions.
Highlights
In patients who present with significant dysphonia, mucosal fold lesions are often identified during videostroboscopic examination
Vocal fold steroid injection procedure in our series was associated with one complication
Steroid injection should be considered as a treatment option to avoid surgery in patients with select vocal fold lesions
Summary
In patients who present with significant dysphonia, mucosal fold lesions are often identified during videostroboscopic examination. Benign vocal fold lesions such as vocal nodules, polyps and cysts are usually secondary to phonotrauma. These lesions are associated with chronic inflammation and variable fibrosis in the vocal fold cover and lamina propria [1, 2]. The risks of direct laryngoscopy (including general anaesthesia) are low, it is not without risk. Benign vocal fold lesions identified in professional voice users, frequently require further treatment after failure of conservative measures. The role of vocal fold steroid injection as a treatment option for select benign lesions is the focus of this study. Steroid injection may avoid phonosurgery in some individuals thereby reducing the potential for adverse side effects associated with surgery
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