Thyroarytenoid botulinum toxin injection for refractory laryngeal contact granuloma.

[BACKGROUND] Although there are many treatments for laryngeal contact granuloma (LCG), some patients still fail treatment. Botulinum toxin A injection vocal cords may be a salvage therapy.

[OBJECTIVES] To study the efficacy of thyroarytenoid botulinum toxin A injection for the treatment of refractory LCG.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] From May 2021 to March 2022, 23 male patients with refractory idiopathic LCG were treated by injection of botulinum toxin A into the thyroarytenoid muscle via the thyrohyoid membrane approach. Inspiratory-phase laryngoscopy images were collected before treatment and 3 months after injection treatment. The lesion size was evaluated with the Farwell granuloma endoscopic grading system and Image J software.

[RESULTS] The average age of 23 patients was 49 years. The dose of botulinum toxin injection ranged from 2.5 to 5 units. Three months after injection, 17 patients were cured, 2 patients showed marked improvement, and 4 patients did not experience any effect. The total efficacy rate was 82.61% (19/23), and no serious complications occurred. Almost all patients experienced hoarseness within one week after injection; they gradually recovered after one month, and their voice returned to baseline at 3 months.

[CONCLUSIONS] Thyroarytenoid botulinum toxin injection is an effective method for resolving refractory LCG.