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Paroxysmal laryngospasm after laryngeal nerve injury
Author(s) -
Wani Manish K.,
Woodson Gayle E.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
the laryngoscope
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.181
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1531-4995
pISSN - 0023-852X
DOI - 10.1097/00005537-199905000-00003
Subject(s) - laryngospasm , medicine , stridor , anesthesia , recurrent laryngeal nerve , airway obstruction , surgery , superior laryngeal nerve , larynx , blockade , botulinum toxin , airway , receptor , thyroid
Objective : Describe a clinical syndrome of laryngeal hypersensitivity following laryngeal nerve injury. Study Design : Retrospective review of six patients with laryngeal paralysis sustained during neck surgery who presented with paroxysms of coughing and stridor, progressing to brief episodes of complete airway occlusion. Methods : Chart review. Results : Superior laryngeal nerve blockade temporarily improved symptoms in four of five patients. Botulinum toxin relieved spasm in two of three patients and reduced symptoms in the third. Symptoms gradually diminished or resolved in four patients from 1 to 2.5 years later. One patient underwent arytenoidectomy and one patient has a tracheostomy. Conclusions : Patients with laryngeal injury may present with stridor and acute airway obstruction secondary to paroxysmal laryngospasm. The authors have found that superior laryngeal nerve blockade or botulinum toxin may be effective in temporary relief of symptoms.