Treatment Results of Vocal Process Granuloma: Intubation Versus Contact Granuloma

Background and Objectives Vocal process granulomas (VPGs) are benign lesions of the larynx, typically contact granulomas (CG) and intubation granulomas (IG). The two diseases are known to have different clinical manifestations despite having the same pathological features. The purpose of this study was to analyze the treatment results for CG and IG and to obtain clinical information.Materials and Method We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with VPG between January 2015 and December 2018. The patient’s age, sex, medical history, lesion size, lesion type, reflux finding score, response to treatment, duration of treatment, and follow-up period were compared.Results In total, 32 patients were included in the study, of which 18 were CG and 14 were IG. In the CG group, males were dominant (n=15, 83.3%), whereas in the IG group, females were dominant (n=11, 78.6%) (p=0.0009). The response to medical treatment using proton pump inhibitor and steroid inhaler was better in the IG group (11/14, 78.6%) than in the CG group (7/18, 38.9%) (p=0.036). Of the 14 patients who did not respond to medical treatment, 5 received botulium toxin injections, and all 5 had complete remission. The duration of medical treatment was significantly longer in the IG group (p=0.0029).Conclusion IG was more common in female, and CG was more dominant in male. IG had better response to medical treatment using proton pump inhibitor and steroid inhaler than CG.

Paralytic stenosis of the larynx

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various types of surgical treatment of patients with bilateral paralytic stenosis of the larynx. Study involved 28 patients aged 18 to 75 years, suffering from paralytic stenosis of the larynx, who was treated at the ENT department of the multidisciplinary clinic of the Tashkent Medical Academy in the period from 2015 to 2020. The results of treatment with the use of laterofixation of the vocal fold, partial excision of the vocal fold in the posterior third and the vocal process of the arytenoid cartilage showed that after the above methods of surgical intervention, recurrence of stenosis occurs in 20-25% of cases, therefore it is necessary to develop tactics of surgical treatment and postoperative management of this category patients.

Vocal Fold Cyst Formation after Photoangiolytic KTP Laser Treatment of Early Glottic Cancer

Objective: The incidence of post-operative glottic cyst (POGC) formation in patients treated with transoral laser microsurgery with potassium-titanyl-phosphate laser (TLM-KTP) photoablation of early glottic carcinoma (EGC) has not previously been described. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed to identify all patients with early glottic cancer who underwent with single-modality TLM-KTP at our institution. Each patient received regular follow up with videostroboscopy for tumor surveillance. New glottic cysts seen on surveillance examinations were noted and their management was documented. Results: A total of 33 patients met inclusion criteria. Eight patients (24%) developed POGC’s within the original geographic perimeter of the cancerous vocal fold(s): 6 in the infraglottic region and 2 near the vocal process, at an average of 8 months after their initial cancer surgery. Of these 8 POGC’s, 7 were at the periphery of the original tumor distribution and 1 was in the center of it. No POGC’s were associated with any change in voice. Four of the 8 POGC’s were phonosurgically excised, all without evidence of malignancy on pathology. The remaining 4 were monitored: 2 were stable for an average of 49 months of follow up; the remaining 2 resolved spontaneously by 7 and 31 months after first identification. Conclusions: POGC’s are a frequent sequela of TLM-KTP for EGC. While these results suggest that they are unlikely to represent submucosal recurrences, surgeons should have a low threshold to biopsy if there is clinical concern for such and should counsel patients pre-operatively about the potential for their formation.

Bilateral Vocal Fold Granuloma and Anterior Glottic Web After Papilloma Excision

We present a case of delayed vocal process granulomas and anterior glottic web after treatment of vocal fold papillomas with a laryngeal microdebrider and CO2 laser ablation. This case highlights a risk of vocal fold granuloma in the setting of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis and microdebrider use, warranting close follow-up and consideration of prophylactic voice therapy, anti-reflux medications, and steroid injection in cases of violation of vocal cord epithelium.

Incidental Laryngeal Findings on Bedside Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing in a Community Hospital Setting

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence of laryngeal pathology found during bedside flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) in a community hospital. Methods: A retrospective study among patients who underwent a bedside FEES examination from May 2018 to May 2019. Criteria to perform a bedside FEES exam were patients who were identified through nursing screening swallowing evaluation and failed a bedside clinical evaluation of swallowing by a speech language pathologist. Patient demographics, recent intubation, duration of intubation, dysphonia complaints, laryngeal exam findings, consultation to otolaryngology and intervention were reviewed. Results: Seventy-five patients had an inpatient bedside FEES. All (100%) had subjective complaints of swallowing. 29 (38.66%) had laryngeal pathology identified on FEES examination including unilateral vocal fold immobility (9), fungal infections (6), vocal fold lesion (3), edema (3), erythema (3), vocal process granuloma (2), unilateral TVF Hemorrhage (1), unilateral TVF paresis (1), suspected superior laryngeal nerve palsy (1). Seventeen of the twenty-nine (58.6%) examinations with incidental laryngeal finding received an otolaryngology referral. Twenty-three of the twenty-nine patients with laryngeal findings (79.3%) were intubated during the hospitalization. Conclusion: Bedside FEES is a well-established method to evaluate swallowing function in an inpatient population. Even in a community hospital, routine FEES examinations led to a high rate of detection of clinically significant laryngeal pathology.

Arytenoid Subluxation Reduction Using 28-Jackson Dilator

Arytenoid dislocation and subluxations commonly are reduced surgically using Holinger and straight Miller-3 laryngoscopes. We present a case of arytenoid cartilage subluxation returned to good position using a 28-Jackson dilator. A 66-year-old man was diagnosed previously with right vocal fold paresis and left vocal fold paralysis following a motor vehicle accident that required a 14-day intubation and tracheotomy maintained for 3 weeks. Evaluation by strobovideolaryngoscopy 3 months following the accident showed severe left vocal fold hypomotility and arytenoid height disparity; laryngeal electromyography showed only mild-to-moderate decreased recruitment in laryngeal muscles. No abnormalities were appreciated on neck computed tomography. Upon palpation of both arytenoid cartilages in the operating room, the left joint was found to be subluxed anteriorly and immobile. A 28-Jackson dilator was used to mobilize and reduce the left arytenoid cartilage, and steroid was injected into the cricothyroid joint. Increased mobility was obtained in the operating room and the patient reported significant improvement in his voice. Six months later, we saw improvement in arytenoid height disparity and left vocal fold movement, better glottic closure, and voice handicap index was improved. A 28-Jackson dilator can be used to manipulate the cricoarytenoid joint without trauma to the vocal process.

Assessing the utility of non-surgical treatments in the management of vocal process granulomas

ObjectiveTo determine whether patients would have equivalent or improved outcomes when receiving non-surgical management versus surgical removal for vocal process granulomas.MethodsA chart review was performed for 53 adults with vocal process granulomas. All patients received baseline anti-reflux treatment consisting of twice-daily proton pump inhibitors and vocal hygiene education. Further treatment approaches were divided into non-surgical (i.e. inhaled corticosteroids, voice therapy, botulinum toxin injections) and surgical groups. Subjective parameters (Voice Handicap Index 10 and Reflux Symptom Index) and outcomes were tabulated and statistically compared. Cause of granuloma was also analysed to determine if this influenced outcomes.ResultsOf 53 patients, 47 (89 per cent) experienced reduction in granuloma size, while 37 (70 per cent) experienced complete resolution. The rate of complete granuloma resolution after initial treatment strategy alone was significantly higher in non-surgical compared to surgical patients (67 and 30 per cent, respectively; p = 0.039). No difference in outcome was seen between iatrogenic and idiopathic granulomas.ConclusionNon-surgical patients were more likely to experience initial treatment success than those who underwent surgical removal. Continued emphasis should be placed on conservative treatment options prior to surgery for patients with this condition.

Interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma

ObjectivesTo report on the efficacy and adverse effects of interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma.MethodsA retrospective chart review was conducted of eight patients with vocal process granuloma resistant to anti-reflux therapy who underwent interarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection. The mean dosage of botulinum toxin A injected was 6.56 U.ResultsFifty per cent of patients had complete regression of the lesion and 50 per cent had partial regression. The main side effects were breathiness (n = 4), voice breaks (n = 1) and aspiration (n = 1).ConclusionInterarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of vocal process granuloma is an effective mode of therapy, with transient vocal and swallowing side effects.