%0 Journal Article
%T Treatment Outcomes of Intralesional Steroid Injection for Refractory Vocal Process Granuloma.
%A Yu PJ
%A Hung WC
%A Wang CT
%J Clin Otolaryngol
%V 0
%N 0
%D 2024 Aug 12
%M 39135379
%F 2.729
%R 10.1111/coa.14210
%X OBJECTIVE: Vocal process granuloma (VPG) is a chronic condition resulting from a mucoperichondrial injury of vocal process. Initial conservative treatment typically involves vocal hygiene education and antireflux medication. Treatment challenges arise with refractory cases. Outcomes of second-line treatments such as surgical excision and botulinum toxin injections remain inconsistent. Thus, we propose this study to investigate the effectiveness of intralesional steroid injections for refractory VPG.
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 23 patients with VPG who showed no improvement after 3 months of proton pump inhibitors. These patients underwent one to three courses of monthly in-office intralesional steroid injections as a second-line therapy. Treatment outcomes were evaluated by measuring the size of the VPG relative to the length of the vocal folds before and after the final injection procedure.
RESULTS: Results showed a significant reduction in VPG size from baseline of 27.74 ± 15.06 to 5.48 ± 8.95 (p < .001). 15 out of 23 patients were responsive (size reduction ≥ 75%) to intralesional steroid injection. Alcohol consumption and longer symptom duration were associated with a poor response (size reduction <75%), whereas prior intubation was associated with better response.
CONCLUSIONS: For refractory VPG not responding to conservative treatment, intralesional steroid injection appears to be a promising alternative option without significant adverse effects.