Palliative Care Research  2006;1(2):321-324

doi:10.2512/jspm.1.321

Transcutaneous Intrafold Injection for Unilataeral Recurrent Nerve Paralysis in Terminal Cancer Patients.

Tetsushi Fuskushige ; Hirohito Umeno ; Shinichi Yamada ; Katsuya Tsuda ; Tatsushiko Kano

Keywords

recurrent nerve paralysis; terminal cancer patients; transcutaneous intrafold injection therapy

Country

Japan

Language

Japanese

Abstract

Purpose; Recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis (RLNP) is often observed in terminal cancer patients. It causes hoarseness of voice, and this interferes with a patient's communication skills. Moreover, RLNP causes aspiration, which decreases the joy of eating, and pneumonia. Although it is important to control the symptoms of RLNP in terminal cancer patients, there are few methods for their control. In this study, 3 terminal cancer patients suffering from RLNP were treated using percutaneous intrafold silicon injection. Methods; The injection was administered under local anesthesia through cricothyroid membrane monitoring fiberscopy. The amount of silicon to be injected was determined on the basis of fiberscopic findings; 0.4 to 2.0 ml of silicon was injected. Results; As a result of this treatment, a marked improvement in voice hoarseness and swallowing ability was observed in all 3 cases. No complications were observed during and after treatment. Conclusion; Thus, percutaneous intrafold silicon injection is a very useful and safe treatment for RLNP in terminal cancer patients.