TEFLON GRANULOMA OF THE LARYNX - ETIOLOGY, PATHOPHYSIOLOGY, AND MANAGEMENT

Intralaryngeal Teflon injection for correction of unilateral vocal cor d paralysis is known to produce a foreign body giant cell reaction. In our practice, we have seen increasing numbers of patients who had dev eloped dysphonia related to Teflon injection. This patient series was reviewed, as were the surgical technique to correct this condition, vo ice results, and acoustic analysis of a subset of the patient series. We conclude that dysphonia, secondary to Teflon injection, can be eith er from overinjection of Teflon or inappropriate injection, or from th e proliferative granulomatous response of the larynx to the Teflon. Ou r technique of laser incision into the superior aspect of the Teflon i mplant, followed by vaporization and preservation of a margin of mucos a of the cord medially, resulted in improved voice in 8 of 11 patients treated in this manner. Acoustic and aerodynamic analyses reveal sign ificant deficits in vocal function that may persist after procedures u sed to correct this condition.