Incidence of vocal cord dysfunction after fluoroscopically guided steroid injections in the axial skeleton.

Abstract

To report on the incidence of dysphonia and/or associated throat symptoms after steroid injections in the axial skeleton. A prospective cohort study. Academic spine center. Patients (N = 100) undergoing a diagnostic injection followed by a therapeutic injection in the axial skeleton. Not applicable. 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. There was a 12% incidence of transient dysphonia and/or associated throat symptoms in this study population after a therapeutic injection. 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.