Effects of intracordal trafermin injection on mutational voice disorder

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology Vol. 45; no. 2; p. 104139
• Main Authors: Hasegawa, Tomohiro, Watanabe, Yusuke
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Intracordal injection; Mutational voice disorder; Speaking fundamental frequency; Trafermin; Speaking fundamental frequency; Mutational voice disorder; Trafermin; Intracordal injection
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2023.104139

Mutational voice disorder is the inability of the voice to adjust to the changes in the larynx during puberty, resulting in the speaking fundamental frequency failing to decrease. Standard treatments for mutational voice disorder are voice therapy and thyroplasty. However, voice therapy takes time to show its effects, and thyroplasty is highly invasive. Herein, we present a case of mutational voice disorder successfully treated with intracordal trafermin injection. A 31-year-old male patient was diagnosed with mutational voice disorder and offered standard treatment, but he requested a less invasive treatment with early effects. We performed intracordal trafermin injection with his consent. Two months after the procedure, the speaking fundamental frequency decreased from 155.5 Hz to 93.0 Hz, and the voice handicap index decreased from 14 to 2. This case suggests that intracordal trafermin injection is an effective treatment option for mutational voice disorder. Furthermore, compared with the standard treatment methods, it is less invasive and provides effects shortly with only one injection.