Treatment Options for Laryngeal Dystonia: Current Approaches and Emerging Therapies
摘要
Laryngeal dystonia (LD), formerly termed spasmodic dysphonia, is a rare, task-specific focal dystonia of the intrinsic laryngeal musculature. It primarily disrupts phonation and, less commonly, respiration, leading to significant quality-of-life impairment. Due to the absence of reliable biomarkers, diagnosis remains clinical and is often delayed, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary input in both diagnosis and management.
Recent FindingsBotulinum toxin injection remains the mainstay and gold standard of treatment, while surgical procedures such as thyroarytenoid myoneurectomy, type II thyroplasty and selective laryngeal adductor denervation-reinnervation, provide viable alternatives, each with a distinct risk and benefit profile. Emerging strategies under investigation include pharmacological agents such as sodium oxybate, which has shown promise in phase II trial, as well as neuromodulatory approaches including transcranial magnetic stimulation and deep brain stimulation. Speech therapy and behavioural interventions can provide compensatory strategies to optimise communication, serve as adjuncts in addressing maladaptive vocal behaviours, and aid in distinguishing LD from other functional disorders.
SummaryThis review summarises the current therapeutic landscape of LD and highlights key future directions. Ongoing advances in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and neuromodulation, supported by multidisciplinary research and clinical collaboration, will be critical to broadening treatment options and improving outcomes in this challenging disorder.