Vocal outcome measures after bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle botulinum toxin injections for abductor spasmodic dysphonia

Abstract

To review vocal outcome measures, using the Voice Related Quality of Life (VRQOL) index, after simultaneous bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle botulinum toxin injections. Case series. Tertiary care academic clinic. Fourteen subjects with abductor spasmodic dysphonia received 37 simultaneous bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle botulinum toxin injections for isolated abductor spasmodic dysphonia (ABSD) over a 16-month period. VRQOL index. Of the 37 injections, 33 of 37 (89%) resulted in improvement. Three injections resulted in no improvement, and one injection resulted in a worse VRQOL. The overall VRQOL mean improvement was 19.8 (range 5-53), with an average pre/postinjection VRQOL interval of 36 days (range 21-45 days). Simultaneous bilateral posterior cricoarytenoid muscle botulinum injections result in a statistically significant improvement in VRQOL index scores for a high percentage of ABSD patients, thus improving patient quality of life.