Laryngeal steroid injection

Purpose of review: Vocal nodules are generally caused by vocal abuse and conservative treatments such as voice therapy - mainly voice rest and medical management - are used as a first choice. However, as patients with vocal nodules often have voice-related occupations, voice rest and voice therapy are sometimes difficult to perform, which makes treatment difficult. This study reviews the literature and discusses the usefulness of laryngeal steroid injection for the treatment of vocal fold nodules. Recent findings: Steroid injection using a laryngeal telescope or a laryngeal flexible endoscope under topical anesthesia enables surgical manipulation under a good visual field through a monitor and an easy and accurate approach to the lesion on an outpatient basis. Although the literature is limited, steroid injection improves maximum phonation time and mean flow rate of the cases with vocal nodules. Summary: Steroid injection using a laryngeal telescope or a laryngeal flexible endoscope is an easy and useful treatment option of vocal nodules.