Open AccessIndications for the Use of Botox in Laryngology: A Review
Author(s) -
Tan Melin,
Woo Peak,
Chinosornvataina
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599811415823a191
Subject(s) - laryngology , spasmodic dysphonia , medicine , larynx , hyperfunction , audiology , dermatology , denervation , botulinum toxin , surgery , anatomy
Objective Botox causes chemical denervation by inhibiting release of acetylcholine from nerve terminals. In laryngology, Botox was initially introduced in patients with spasmodic dysphonia. Since then, its role has expanded to other disorders of laryngeal muscle hyperfunction. We aim to identify expanded indications of Botox in laryngology and review the literature. Method We performed a retrospective review of all patients treated with Botox injection in the senior author’s (PW) laryngology practice from 1998 to 2010. Indications were categorized and outcomes were analyzed. Results A total of 257 patients received laryngeal injections of Botox. Of these, 57 patients (22.2%) were indicated for reasons other than spasmodic dysphonia. Twenty‐nine (50.9%) were female and 28 (49.1%) were male. Age range was 15 to 72 years with a mean of 40 years. Eighteen (31.6%) patients were treated for paradoxical vocal fold motion, 14 (24.56%) were treated for contact granuloma, and 10 (17.54%) were treated for vocal fold paralysis with aberrant re‐innervation. Other indications included tremor, loud voice, mutational voice disorder, and spasticity. Twenty‐nine (49.15%) patients benefited from multiple injections. Conclusion The use of Botox for the intrinsic musculature of the larynx can be considered for a wide spectrum of pathology involving vocal fold hyperfunction.