In-Office Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Paralaryngeal Pain and Odynophonia.

OBJECTIVES: Pain localized to the thyrohyoid region may be due to neuralgia of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN), inflammation of the thyrohyoid complex, or a voice disorder. We present outcomes of treatment of paralaryngeal pain and odynophonia with SLN block. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective Review. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing in-office SLN block for paralaryngeal pain between 2015 and 2018 at two tertiary care centers was conducted. Patient demographics, indications, and response to treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients underwent blockade of the internal branch of the SLN for paralaryngeal pain, with 10 excluded for incomplete medical records. Eighty-two percent (23/28) reported an improvement in their symptoms. Patients underwent an average of 2.5 blocks (SD = 1.88, range 1-8), with 10 patients (36%) undergoing a single procedure. Of the 18 patients who underwent multiple blocks, nine had eventual cessation of symptoms (50%) compared to resolution in 6/10 undergoing a single injection. Eleven patients (39%) noted odynophonia related to vocal effort, and all of these patients had improvement in or resolution of their symptoms and were more likely to improve compared to those without odynophonia (P = .006). Of the four patients who had a vocal process granuloma (VPG) at presentation, three had complete resolution of the lesion at follow-up. CONCLUSION: In-office SLN block is effective in the treatment of paralaryngeal pain. It may be used as an adjunct in the treatment of vocal process granulomas, as well as voice disorders where odynophonia is a prominent symptom. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4 Laryngoscope, 132:401-405, 2022.

Treatment of chronic neurogenic cough with in-office superior laryngeal nerve block.

OBJECTIVES: Neurogenic cough is believed to result from a sensory neuropathy involving the internal branch of the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). We present our outcomes for the treatment of neurogenic cough with localized blockade of the internal branch of the SLN. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of patients who underwent in-office percutaneous SLN block for treatment of neurogenic cough between 2015 and 2017 was conducted. Patient demographics, indications for injection, and response to treatment were recorded and analyzed. Cough severity index (CSI) scores before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients underwent percutaneous blockade of the internal branch of the SLN in the clinic setting, and five patients were excluded for incomplete records. The indication was neurogenic cough as a diagnosis of exclusion. The injectable substance used was a 1:1 mixture of a long-acting particulate corticosteroid and a local anesthetic. Unilateral injections were performed in 13 patients, and five patients underwent bilateral injections. Of the unilateral injections, 10 were left-sided. Patients underwent an average of 2.4 SLN block procedures (range 1-7). Mean follow-up time postinjection was 85.4 days (7-450 days). Cough severity index scores decreased significantly from an average of 26.8 pretreatment to 14.6 posttreatment (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: The SLN block is an effective treatment for neurogenic cough, with average CSI scores significantly improved following injection. Further study is necessary to determine the characteristics of patients' responses to treatment, long-term outcomes, and efficacy of the procedure when compared to placebo and other accepted treatments for neurogenic cough. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4. Laryngoscope, 1898-1903, 2018.

Vocal Fold Paralysis after Esophagectomy for Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To recognize factors that contribute to vocal fold paralysis (VFP) after esophagectomy. (2) To describe the morbidity associated with VFP after esophagectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: Tertiary care academic medical center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The medical records of 91 patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy were reviewed (2008-2014). Twenty-two patients with postoperative VFP were compared with 69 patients without VFP with regard to preoperative variables, surgical approach (transcervical vs other), and postoperative outcomes. A subset analysis of cervical approaches was performed, including those where an otolaryngologist assisted. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in preoperative variables between patients with and without VFP. Cervical approaches were associated with increased VFP (P < .0001). Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) identification was associated with increased VFP (P = .0001). RLN dissection by head and neck surgeons was associated with decreased VFP (P = .0223). Patients with VFP had longer lengths of stay (P = .0078), higher rates of tracheotomy (P = .0439), and required more outpatient swallow evaluations (P = .0017). Mean time to diagnosis of VFP was 45.6 days (median, 7.5 days). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical approaches are associated with increased VFP in patients undergoing esophagectomy for malignancy. When cervical approaches and mobilization are required, the inclusion of an experienced cervical surgeon to identify the RLN may improve the rate of postoperative VFP. Patients with VFP after esophagectomy experience significantly more morbidity. Due to the potential delay in diagnosis and treatment of postoperative VFP, routine assessment of inpatient vocal fold function may be beneficial.

Subglottic Basal Cell Adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To discuss the presentation and management of a rare neoplasm in a previously unreported laryngeal subsite. METHODS: Case report and literature review. RESULTS: An 89-year-old woman presented with a subglottic mass, biopsy of which was consistent with basal cell adenocarcinoma. She was successfully treated with surgical intervention and remains disease free 29 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Basal cell adenocarcinoma is a rare salivary gland tumor, the laryngeal variant of which is even scarcer. Herein we describe the presentation and successful surgical management of the first reported case of subglottic basal cell adenocarcinoma. We additionally provide a histologic review followed by approaches to treatment.

Cochlear implant extrusion secondary to keloid formation.

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE: The goal of this paper is to describe a previously unreported etiology for cochlear implant extrusion. A short literature review is included. This paper represents the first reported case of cochlear implant extrusion secondary to keloid formation. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 40-year-old male who underwent cochlear implant insertion approximately 5 years prior who later developed a 5 cm post-auricular soft tissue swelling and partial extrusion which interfered with implant function. INTERVENTION: He subsequently underwent wound debridement, cochlear implant removal, and rotational skin flap closure. Final pathology revealed keloid scar. CONCLUSION: Cochlear implant extrusion is a rare complication which has been attributed to various causes. This report identifies keloid formation as another possible source.

Management of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To develop and validate a clinical algorithm for management of patients with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-induced angioedema (AIIA). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort observational study. METHODS: Over 1 year, 40 patients with AIIA were evaluated by otolaryngology, underwent laryngoscopy, and were followed until disease resolution. The need for airway intervention, disposition for appropriate level of care, and other parameters were analyzed. RESULTS: Treatment started within 61.5 minutes of presentation to the emergency department (ED). Mean duration until resolution of edema was 29 hours. Twenty (50%) patients required intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and six (15%) required intubation. Seventeen (42.5%) were monitored and discharged from the ED. Floor-of-mouth edema was present in 19 (47.5%), and massive tongue edema was found in four (10%) patients. The aryepiglottic fold was involved in 20 (50%) patients on laryngoscopy. Older patients (P = .048) with subjective dyspnea (P = .003) and dysphonia (P = .001) were most likely to require ICU admission. Upper lip swelling had a negative correlation with airway edema identifiable on laryngoscopy alone (P = .008). Dysphonia (n = 16) predicted airway edema upon laryngoscopy (P = .001). All 40 patients were triaged successfully without the need for readmission or escalation of level of care. CONCLUSIONS: The management protocol was successful in 40 consecutive patients to the appropriate level of care. History and physical examination may predict airway findings identified on laryngoscopy and help guide management when treatment by otolaryngology is not immediately available. A subset of patients will require acute airway intervention and can be identified at initial presentation.