Efficacy of SLN Block for Chronic Cough

Overseen By Courtney Tipton, MD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Phase 2

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Must not be taking: Neuromodulating medications, ACE/ARB

Disqualifiers: Current smoker, Abnormal PFTs, Uncontrolled OSA, others

Prior Safety Data This treatment has passed at least one previous human trial

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 8 weeks

19 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing if injections near a specific throat nerve can reduce coughing in adults with an overactive nerve. Participants will receive either the actual treatment or a non-active treatment. The goal is to see if these injections can help lessen their cough.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

If you are currently using neuromodulating medications, you will need to stop taking them to participate in this trial.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment?

Research shows that the superior laryngeal nerve block, which involves injecting a mixture of steroids and lidocaine, has been effective in treating neurogenic cough and other laryngeal issues. Studies have demonstrated its benefits for symptoms like chronic cough, paralaryngeal pain, and laryngeal hypersensitivity. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block safe for humans?

The Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block, which involves injecting a mixture of steroids and anesthetic, has been used safely in various studies for conditions like neurogenic cough and laryngeal hypersensitivity, with few complications reported when guided by ultrasound. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How does the superior laryngeal nerve block treatment differ from other treatments for neurogenic cough?

The superior laryngeal nerve block treatment is unique because it involves an in-office injection of a steroid-lidocaine mixture directly at the nerve site, providing an alternative to neuromodulators for neurogenic cough. This method targets the nerve responsible for the cough, potentially offering relief for symptoms like laryngeal hypersensitivity and paralaryngeal pain. ^{1 2 4 7 8}

Research Team

Courtney Tipton

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

Exclusion of other etiologies (see

History consistent with neurogenic cough

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive four superior laryngeal nerve blocks or four saline injections as a placebo

8 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including symptom logs and questionnaires

3 months

Every two weeks (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Injection of placebo (saline)
• Injection of steroid-lidocaine mixture
• Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block

Participant Groups

Group I: Steroid-Lidocaine Mixture Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Will receive numbing injection, which is a mixture of steroid and lidocaine

Group II: Placebo Placebo Group 2 Interventions

Will receive saline injection as a placebo

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Longitudinal Follow-up of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Chronic Neurogenic Cough. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Superior laryngeal nerve block for neurogenic cough: A case series. [2022]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Application of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Non-Cough Laryngeal Hypersensitivity. [2023]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Indications and Short-Term Outcomes for In-Office Therapeutic Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Efficacy of Superior Laryngeal Nerve Block for Neurogenic Cough: A Placebo-Controlled Trial. [2023]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Ultrasound guided superior laryngeal nerve block as an adjuvant to generalanesthesia during endoscopic laryngeal surgery: A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. [2019]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Novel Approach to the Challenging Injection Laryngoplasty. [2016]

8. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Effects of bupivacaine versus lidocaine infiltration on postoperative analgesia in pediatric tonsillectomy patients]. [2014]