Botulinum toxin as adjunctive therapy in refractory laryngeal granuloma.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the role of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of refractory laryngeal granulomas.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective clinical review at a tertiary care hospital. Seven patients with vocal process granulomas underwent percutaneous injection of botulinum toxin into both vocal folds, performed in an office setting. Total doses ranged from 10 to 25 U, divided between both vocal folds.

RESULTS

All patients experienced resolution of their granulomas over two to seven weeks. No patient developed aspiration pneumonia. All patients experienced hoarseness secondary to the injections, but voice quality returned to baseline in all patients as the toxin was degraded.

CONCLUSIONS

Botulinum toxin is safe and effective therapy in resolving vocal process granulomas in patients refractory to traditional therapy. The optimal treatment dose remains to be determined.

SIGNIFICANCE

Percutaneous botulinum toxin injection is helpful in resolving laryngeal granulomas.