Botulimum toxin (BTX) is a type of nerve blocker. When injected, BTX blocks nerve signals to muscles so they relax.
BTX is the toxin that causes botulism, a rare but serious illness. It is safe when used in very small doses.
Alternative Names
Injection laryngoplasty; Botox-larynx: spasmodic dysphonia-BTX; Essential voice tremor (EVT)-btx; Glottic insufficiency; Percutaneous electromyography-guided botulinum toxin treatment; Percutaneous indirect laryngoscopy-guided botulinum toxin Treatment; Adductor dysphonia-BTX; OnabotulinumtoxinA-larynx; AbobotulinumtoxinA
Description
BTX is injected into the muscles around the vocal cords. This weakens the muscles and improves voice quality. It is not a cure for laryngeal dystonia, but can help ease the symptoms.
In most cases, you will have the BTX injections in your health care provider's office. There are 2 common ways to inject BTX into the larynx:
Through the neck:
- You may have local anesthesia to numb the area.
- You will lay down on your back.
- Your provider may use an EMG (electromyography) machine. An EMG machine records the movement of your vocal cord muscles through tiny electrodes placed on your skin. This helps your provider guide the needle to the correct area.
- Another method involves using a flexible laryngoscope inserted thru the nose to help guide the needle.
Through the mouth:
- You may have general anesthesia so you are asleep during this procedure.
- You may also have numbing medicine sprayed into your nose, throat, and larynx.
- Your provider will use a long, curved needle to inject directly into the vocal cord muscles.
- You provider may place a small camera (endoscope) into your mouth to guide the needle.
