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Serial Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections for Vocal Fold Atrophy, Scar, and/or Sulcus Vocalis

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dysphonia
Sulcus Vocalis of Vocal Cord
Vocal Cord Atrophy
Atrophy; Larynx
Vocal Fold Scar
Presbylarynx
Presbylarynges
Interventions
Procedure: Serial PRP injections
Registration Number
NCT03749863
Lead Sponsor
University of Southern California
Brief Summary

This study will investigate the safety and efficacy of four serial monthly vocal fold injections of platelet-rich plasma to treat dysphonia secondary to vocal fold atrophy, scar, and/or sulcus vocalis with glottal insufficiency

Detailed Description

Vocal fold atrophy, scar, sulcus vocalis, glottal insufficiency with resulting dysphonia is a condition affecting millions of aging Americans, up to 35% of those 65 or older. Currently used treatment methods include voice therapy, injections of inert fillers, and laryngeal framework surgery. These modalities are imperfect with voice therapy requiring considerable time commitment, filler injections generally temporary in benefit, and surgery with increased risks. The investigators intend to conduct a single-arm study to assess the safety and efficacy of autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection for vocal fold atrophy, sulcus vocalis and scar. PRP is a substance purified from the patient's own blood that consists of platelets, growth factors, and other regenerative molecules that have been shown to promote rejuvenation in a variety of tissue types. Patients with vocal fold atrophy, sulcus vocalis, and scar identified in the USC Voice Center will be offered participation in a study to receive serial PRP injections in one vocal fold. Outcome measures evaluated pre- and post-injection and over follow-up visits will include various patient reported quality of life indices, objective clinical assessments of voice, and laryngeal videostroboscopy examinations. The investigators hypothesize that serial PRP injections will significantly improve vocal fold mucosal volume, morphology, and dysphonia in these patients with no adverse side effects.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
14
Inclusion Criteria
  • Vocal fold atrophy, scar, and/or sulcus vocalis diagnosed on laryngeal video stroboscopy by a fellowship-trained laryngologist
  • Patients with a pre-injection VHI-10 score of ≥ 10
  • Willingness to follow study requirements and perform follow-up visits for up to 4 months following the procedure
  • Ability to give informed consent
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Exclusion Criteria
  • Other co-existing laryngeal pathology that would affect either the safety or potential benefit from PRP injection
  • Current smoker
  • Underlying coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia, or platelet dysfunction
Read More

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Serial PRP injectionsSerial PRP injectionsThis arm will receive experimental intervention of serial monthly platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to a unilateral vocal fold mucosa for a total of 4 injections.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Incidence of Treatment-Emergent Adverse Events as assessed by FDA/CBER Adverse Event Severity Grading Scale4 months

Adverse event severity grading scale from 1 to 4, with grade 1 as mild, grade 2 as moderate, grade 3 as severe, and grade 4 potentially life-threatening

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Vocal Fold Appearance as assessed by experts using a modified version of the Voice-Vibratory Assessment with Laryngeal Imaging (VALI) form4 months

Blinded assessments of recorded laryngeal videostroboscopy exams will be performed by laryngologists and speech-language pathologists using a modified version of the VALI, which is a graphical rating form to grade various components seen on stroboscopy.

Voice-Related Quality of Life as assessed by Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10) and Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI)4 months

VHI-10 is a patient questionnaire with 10 statements rated from 0 to 4 with overall scale 0-40; VFI is a patient questionnaire with 19 statements rated from 0-4 with overall scale 0-76.

Objective Vocal Quality as assessed by experts using the Consensus Auditory-Perceptual Evaluation of Voice (CAPE-V) instrument4 months

Blinded evaluations of audio voice recordings will be performed by laryngologists and speech-language pathologists using the CAPE-V, which grades overall severity, roughness, breathiness, strain, pitch, and loudness from 0-100.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Southern California

🇺🇸

Los Angeles, California, United States

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