title: Effect of the 532nm pulsed KTP laser in the treatment of Reinke's edema.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect and safety of the 532nm Pulsed Potassium-Titanyl-Phosphate (KTP) laser in the office-based treatment of patients with Reinke's edema using objective and subjective scaled outcome measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case Series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary hospital center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven adult females undergoing in-office KTP laser treatment for Reinke's edema.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were studied pre- and posttreatment. Vocal function was evaluated by objective aerodynamic and acoustic analysis. Subjective changes were evaluated using the GRBAS scale, Voice Handicap Index, and videostroboscopy. Histologic effects of the laser were investigated by comparing one patient treated with laser one year prior to excision, one treated with laser just prior to excision, and one control patient who underwent excision without prior laser treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At an average postoperative follow up of 17.8 weeks (range 5-78), maximum phonation time trended toward improvement. The median VHI score decreased from 37 to 26 (p=0.150). There was a reduction in each component of the GRBAS scoring and the median fundamental frequency increased from 162 to 186 (p=0.625). Stroboscopic findings demonstrated an intact posttreatment mucosal wave. Histologic comparison of the tissue effects of laser in three patients demonstrated changes in vocal fold vascularity but no acute or long-term damage to the overlying epithelium.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Objective and subjective scaled measures suggest that treatment of Reinke's edema in the office with a 532nm KTP laser may result in improved voice. It appears safe with histologic preservation of the vocal fold vibratory epithelium and persistence of mucosal wave.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, the Voice and Swallowing Institute, New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, New York, New York 10003, USA. mpitman@nyee.edu
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Pitman
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lebowitz-Cooper
authors.forename: Chodrin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Iacob
authors.forename: Meilin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007819:Laryngeal Edema / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects