Steroid injection in chronic inflammatory vocal fold disorders, literature review.
Steroids are potent inhibitors of inflammation and wound repair. Local administration of steroids directly into the larynx has been reported in many laryngeal diseases.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to review related literature about the use of steroid injection in patients with benign, inflammatory and chronic vocal disease.


METHODS
We performed an electronic survey in Medline database and selected clinical trials regarding steroid use in benign laryngeal diseases.


RESULTS
Steroids are indicated in these situations: 1) acute inflammatory diseases, mainly when edema compromises the airways; 2) auto- immune disease with laryngeal involvement; 3) laryngeal stenosis; 4) benign lesions of the vocal folds, e.g., nodules, polyps and Reinke's edema, to reduce the inflammatory reactions before phonosurgery or in an attempt to avoid surgery; 5) In phonosurgery, aiming to reduce scarring. In this case, it could be used as a preventive measure in vocal fold scarring, or for scar treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Steroids may be considered an important therapeutic option in the management of many diseases, specially the inflammatory ones, associated with vocal changes.
Campagnolo
Andrea Maria
AM
MD, Otorhinolaryngologist, PhD student in the Medical School at Universidade de São Paulo, professor of Otorhinolaryngology at Faculdade de Medicina de Campos. Electronic address: amcampag@ig.com.br.
Tsuji
Domingos Hiroshi
DH
Associate Professor at Hospital das Clínicas da USP, Assistant Physician at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.
Sennes
Luís Ubirajara
LU
Associate Professor at Hospital das Clínicas da USP, Associate Professor of the Otorhinolaryngology Program at the Medical School at Universidade de São Paulo.
Imamura
Rui
R
PhD in Otorhinolaryngology at Hospital das Clínicas da USP, Assistant Physician at Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones