Longitudinal Follow-up of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Chronic Neurogenic Cough

Abstract

Objective To demonstrate longitudinal follow-up for patients who underwent in-office superior laryngeal nerve (SLN) block with lidocaine and steroids for chronic neurogenic cough. Study Design Longitudinal follow-up study over 10 months. Setting Clinical. Methods A retrospective review of 30 patients who underwent in-office nerve block to the SLN for neurogenic cough, including the 10 patients whose outcomes were originally published in 2019. Results Thirty patients in this study who underwent a series of SLN blocks showed significant improvement in cough severity index (CSI). The average number of blocks was 3 (range, 2-8). Twelve patients underwent initial SLN block to the left side and 18 patients underwent initial SLN block to the right side. The mean follow-up from the first SLN block was 5.3 months. The mean pretreatment and posttreatment CSI scores were 27 and 11, respectively, for all 30 patients who underwent an SLN block. A Wilcoxon signed rank test shows that there is a significant effect on CSI ( W = 2, z = −4.659, P < .05). The mean longitudinal follow-up for the original 10 patients was 10 months from the first SLN block, with none of these patients receiving any further treatment for their cough. Conclusion Superior laryngeal nerve block is an effective long-term treatment for neurogenic cough. No additional treatment was required within 10 months of the SLN block. Level of Evidence Level IV.