title: Pulsed dye laser treatment of laryngeal granulomas.
abstract: Laryngeal granulomas are effectively treated with antireflux therapy and speech therapy. Failure to respond leads to treatment with Botox or surgical excision. We report on the use of the pulsed dye laser for treating chronic granulomas that do not respond to standard therapy. We performed a retrospective review from September 2002 to September 2003. Patients identified with chronic granulomas that were not responding to standard therapy were treated in our office with the pulsed dye laser. Ten patients were identified; the mean age was 58 years. Two patients underwent more than one pulsed dye laser treatment. Five of the 10 had resolution of their lesions, and 3 had a partial response. Two were unchanged. The average follow-up was 6 months, and there were no complications. We conclude that in-office use of the pulsed dye laser is a relatively safe and effective method for treating laryngeal granulomas that do not respond to antireflux therapy and speech therapy.
authors.affiliation: Center for Voice and Swallowing Disorders, Department of Otolaryngology, Wake Forest University Medical Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA.
authors.forename: Stephen B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Clyne
authors.forename: Stacey L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Halum
authors.forename: Jamie A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Koufman
authors.forename: Gregory N
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Postma
mesh_terms: D000553:Ambulatory Care; D006102:Granuloma, Laryngeal / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D020704:Laryngoscopes; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome