Cricothyroid Muscle Botulinum Toxin Injection to Improve Airway for Bilateral Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Paralysis, A Case Series

Bilateral vocal fold paralysis most commonly results from iatrogenic trauma to the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgical procedures in the anterior neck. Patients may require tracheostomy because of acute or gradual onset of dyspnea and airway compromise. The intralaryngeal injection of Botox has been considered as a possible therapy for these airway symptoms of bilateral vocal fold paralysis. Chronic unopposed activity of intact cricothyroid muscles could potentially result in gradual medialization of the vocal folds in patients with bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis.
Source: Journal of Voice - Category: ENT & OMF Authors: Source Type: research