A new treatment option for laryngeal sensory neuropathy.
OBJECTIVE
Laryngeal sensory neuropathy (LSN) may produce a variety of symptoms, including chronic cough, globus sensation, odynophonia, and/or odynophagia. Etiologies are often iatrogenic, viral, or idiopathic, although the diagnosis is generally one of exclusion. The aim of this study is to introduce pregabalin (Lyrica, Pfizer Inc., New York, NY) as a potential new therapy for LSN.


METHODS
Retrospective clinical investigation.


METHODS
: Charts were reviewed from 12 consecutive patients who were prescribed pregabalin for symptoms of LSN. Outcomes were reviewed by analyzing pre and post-treatment questionnaires asking patients to rate symptoms on a scale from 0 to 5. Adverse effects and evidence of drug tolerance were also recorded.


RESULTS
Two patients did not tolerate pregabalin due to somnolence. Of those that tolerated the medication, mean pretreatment chief complaint symptom severity rating was 3.9, whereas mean post-treatment symptom rating was 1.2 after 1 month of pregabalin therapy. None of the patients developed drug tolerance effects over time.


CONCLUSIONS
Pregabalin therapy appears to be an effective treatment option for laryngeal sensory neuropathy. Future prospective studies are needed to compare outcomes between pregabalin and other medications as treatments for LSN.
Halum
Stacey L
SL
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, USA. shalum@iupui.edu
Sycamore
David L
DL
McRae
Bryan R
BR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000069583:Pregabalin; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000069583:Pregabalin; D005680:gamma-Aminobutyric Acid