Incidence of vocal cord dysfunction after fluoroscopically guided steroid injections in the axial skeleton.
OBJECTIVE
To report on the incidence of dysphonia and/or associated throat symptoms after steroid injections in the axial skeleton.


METHODS
A prospective cohort study.


METHODS
Academic spine center.


METHODS
Patients (N = 100) undergoing a diagnostic injection followed by a therapeutic injection in the axial skeleton.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
Presence or absence of dysphonia and/or associated throat symptoms, as determined by completion of a predetermined 10-item questionnaire. This questionnaire was administered before participation in the study and at specific intervals after a diagnostic injection and, again, after a therapeutic spinal injection.


RESULTS
There was a 12% incidence of transient dysphonia and/or associated throat symptoms in this study population after a therapeutic injection.


CONCLUSIONS
Throat symptoms are a potential, albeit transient side effect, after an epidural space corticosteroid injection. The mechanism through which dysphonia or other throat symptoms develop is unknown but appears to be mediated by a systemic steroid effect.
Orthopaedic Surgical Associates of Lowell PC, Lowell, MA, USA.
Atul L
AL
Bhat
David W
DW
Chow
Michael J
MJ
DePalma
Cyndi
C
Garvan
Larry
L
Chou
David
D
Lenrow
Curtis W
CW
Slipman
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone; D008012:Lidocaine