IMPORTANCERefractory chronic cough is a debilitating condition with limited therapeutic options. Laryngeal botulinum toxin type A (BtxA) has been anecdotally reported to benefit patients with chronic cough. We report on our experience with the use of BtxA for the treatment of patients with refractory chronic cough.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe primary outcome is a self-reported improvement of 50% or more in cough severity and/or symptoms by a 2-month follow-up telephone call. Adverse events and patient-reported quality measures were also assessed. RESULTS A total of 22 patients (median [interquartile range] age 61 [57.5-85] years; 19 of 22 women) underwent 31 distinct laryngeal BtxA treatment sessions. The primary outcome of self-reported improvement of 50% or more of cough severity and/or symptoms was achieved in 16 of 31 (52%) treatment sessions. Eleven patients (50%) reported greater than 50% improvement after the first BtxA injection. No major complications occurred. Postprocedural liquid dysphagia had a positive predictive value of 84% and negative predictive value of 100% for response to therapy.CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE In this case series, laryngeal BtxA injection was well tolerated in patients with refractory chronic cough with half of participants experiencing at least short-term improvement in their cough. The occurrence of liquid dysphagia after a BtxA injection appeared to be predictive of a beneficial response. The durability of response, patient selection criteria, and optimal BtxA dosage remains to be determined.
Objective
Voice outcomes following medialization laryngoplasty (ML) for unilateral vocal fold paralysis (UVFP) were compared to those who underwent ML plus arytenoid adduction (AA) (ML+AA).
Methods
Single institution retrospective review of patients with UVFP undergoing ML and ML+AA (2009–2017). Demographic information and history of laryngeal procedures were collected. Preoperative and postoperative Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) and Consensus Perceptual Auditory Evaluation of Voice (CAPE‐V) were assessed.
Results
Of 236 patients, 119 met study criteria. Of those, 70 (59%) underwent ML and 49 (41%) underwent ML+AA. Significant differences between groups at baseline were found for age at time of thyroplasty (P = 0.046), VHI‐10 scores (P < 0.001), and CAPE‐V scores (P = 0.007). Baseline VHI‐10 scores for ML+AA (28 ± 7) were greater than those for ML alone (24 ± 7). At 12 months, overall VHI‐10 scores improved compared to baseline for both groups (ML+AA = 9 ± 7, ML = 16 ± 9); however, there was greater improvement for the ML+AA group compared to ML group (P = 0.001). CAPE‐V scores at 3 or 12 months improved, but differences between the groups were not statistically significant once controlled for covariates.
Conclusion
Based on current findings, patients who undergo ML+AA likely have greater voice handicap at baseline compared to those undergoing ML alone. Patients selected for ML+AA improve as much or more than those who underwent ML alone. This highlights the importance of appropriate selection of candidates for AA.
Level of Evidence
4
Laryngoscope, 129:1876–1881, 2019
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