Symptomatic vallecular cysts: diagnosis and management with the KTP laser

Photoangiolytic Lasers for Treatment of Benign Laryngeal Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

OBJECTIVES

To compare the efficacy of the 445-nm blue laser to the 585-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) and 532-nm potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser in the treatment of benign laryngeal lesions.

DATA SOURCES

Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL.

REVIEW METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines, databases were searched from inception through January 29, 2024, for studies reporting the use of photoangiolytic lasers for treatment of benign laryngeal lesions, including the 585-nm PDL, 532-nm KTP laser, and 445-nm blue laser. Outcome measures included lesion resolution (%), mean differences (Δ) in Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10), and summed dysphonia grade, roughness, and breathiness (GRB) scale.

RESULTS

A total of 45 studies were included for meta-analysis, consisting of 348 patients treated with PDL, 550 patients with KTP laser, and 338 patients with blue laser. Treatment with blue laser resulted in the greatest lesion resolution (94.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.2%-96.7%), followed by KTP laser (90.4%; 95% CI: 84.1%-95.2%), and PDL (86.9%; 95% CI: 62.9%-99.2%). VHI-10 improved significantly in patients following treatment with blue laser (Δ13.3; 95% CI: 10.7-16.0; p < 0.0001), KTP laser (Δ10.3; 95% CI: 7.4-13.3; p < 0.0001), and PDL (Δ7.4; 95% CI: 4.8-10.1; p < 0.0001). GRB improved significantly in patients following treatment with blue laser (Δ4.1; 95% CI: 2.9-5.2; p < 0.0001), KTP laser (Δ3.0; 95% CI: 2.0-4.0; p < 0.0001), and PDL (Δ2.5; 95% CI: 0.8-4.2; p = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

Photoangiolytic lasers are effective in treating benign laryngeal lesions. Blue lasers are promising for laryngeal laser surgery. Laryngoscope, 2024.

KTP laser alone or combined with bleomycin for pharyngolaryngeal hemangioma: a lesion grade-based determination of prognosis

BACKGROUND

No standard potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) laser treatment strategy is available yet for pharyngolaryngeal hemangioma.

OBJECTIVES

To explore the therapeutic effect of KTP laser, alone or combined with bleomycin injection, for pharyngolaryngeal hemangioma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This observational study included patients with pharyngolaryngeal hemangioma treated between May 2016 and November 2021: KTP laser under local anesthesia, KTP laser under general anesthesia, or KTP laser combined with bleomycin injection under general anesthesia.

RESULTS

A total of 60 patients were recruited, including 17, 19, and 24 patients with grade 1, 2, and 3 hemangiomas, respectively. A total of 21 patients underwent KTP laser under local anesthesia, 31 underwent KTP laser under general anesthesia, and 8 underwent KTP laser under general anesthesia combined with bleomycin. The cure rates were 100%, 89.5%, and 20.8% for grade 1, 2, and 3 lesions, respectively. The prognosis was significantly different among the grades of hemangioma (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

KTP laser treatment might be an effective treatment for adult patients with pharyngolaryngeal hemangioma. The size of the hemangioma might be the major factor influencing the prognosis. The method of anesthesia and whether it was combined with bleomycin injection might not affect the prognosis.

Factors Associated With Tolerance for In-Office Laryngeal Laser Procedures

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS

A variety of laryngeal pathologies are increasingly being managed with in-office KTP laser (IOKTP) endoscopic procedures. The primary goal of this study was to identify patient characteristics and disease-related features that correlated with tolerance for IOKTP.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective chart review.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective review of adult patients undergoing office-based laryngeal laser procedures between November 2016 and December 2019 at a tertiary care center. Two blinded otolaryngologist reviewers scored videotaped recordings of IOKTP procedures and assessed severity and distribution of disease using a modified Derkay score, and evaluated procedure tolerance using a visual analog scale.

RESULTS

A total of 56 patients who received IOKTP procedures for laryngeal pathology were reviewed, 42 male and 14 female, with a mean age of 61 years. Gender, age, and BMI were not correlated with tolerance. There was a moderate, negative correlation between tolerance and total number of pathological anatomic laryngeal subsites (rs(56) = -0.35, P = .01). There was a weak, negative correlation between tolerance and total modified Derkay score (rs(56) = -0.29, P = .03). The median tolerance score was lower for patients with posterior lesions (Mdn = 6.4) compared with patients with non-posterior lesions (Mdn = 7.4), P = .04, and lower for current or former smokers (Mdn = 6.5) compared with never smokers (Mdn = 7.3), P = .04.

CONCLUSION

Patients with large disease burden or posterior lesions and patients with smoking history may exhibit poorer tolerance of IOKTP procedures, factors which can help guide pre-procedural counseling and management decisions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV Laryngoscope, 131:E2292-E2297, 2021.

Minimally invasive procedure for diagnosis and treatment of vallecular cysts in children: review of 156 cases

PURPOSE

Vallecular cyst is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening disease. The aim of this study was to review the presentation, evaluation, and treatment of vallecular cysts in children.

METHODS

Medical records of 156 patients treated for vallecular cysts between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into four age groups for comparison of clinical data: A, < 1 month; B, 1-6 months; C, 7-12 months; and D, > 1 year.

RESULTS

The median age of all patients (98 males and 58 females) was 12.1 months (range 1 day-11 years), including 21, 86, 21, and 28 patients in group A, B, C, and D, respectively. A diagnosis of vallecular cysts was made for 135 patients using a combination of flexible laryngoscopy and ultrasound, and ten patients (all in group A) required pre-surgery ventilation support. The most common symptoms were wheezing (59.6%) and stridor (36.5%). Ten patients experienced difficulty with intubation. Endoscopic-assisted transoral coblation marsupialization was performed for all patients, combined with supraglottoplasty for 41 out of 68 patients with concurrent laryngomalacia. Patients in group D had a longer operation time and higher incidence of intraoperative bleeding, two of whom experienced post-operation recurrence, and symptoms resolved after a second operation in both cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Flexible laryngoscopy and ultrasound are recommended for a diagnosis in suspected cases of vallecular cysts. Coblation marsupialization has advantages of minor damage, low recurrence rate, and suitability for all age groups.

Vallecular cyst in the pediatric population: Evaluation and management

OBJECTIVE

To review the presentation of pediatric vallecular cysts and outline an approach for evaluation and management.

METHODS

Medical records of patients diagnosed with vallecular cyst between 2005 and 2017 were reviewed. Data on demographics, clinical characteristics, diagnostic methods, surgical procedures, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. A comprehensive literature search for pediatric cases of vallecular cyst was conducted for comparative analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty patients underwent surgery for congenital vallecular cysts during the study period. Age at diagnosis ranged from birth to 8 years (median age = 1.1 years). The most common preoperative symptom was inspiratory stridor (45%) followed by feeding difficulties (40%). Eight patients (40%) initially presented with laryngomalacia and 7 (35%) with feeding difficulties. Imaging was obtained in 16 patients and consisted of plain films, ultrasound, computed tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Marsupialization of the cyst was performed in all 20 patients. Three patients (15%) presented with recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Vallecular cysts can cause feeding difficulties due to upper airway obstruction and pressure at the laryngeal inlet. Diagnostic work-up for vallecular cysts should include a detailed medical history, complete head and neck examination including endoscopic examination, and appropriate imaging, as each of these components complements the histopathologic findings. Our findings indicate that performing marsupialization is associated with low rate of recurrence or complication.