scholarly journals Unilateral Vocal Cord Palsy: An Etiopathological Study

2011 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jayanthy Pavithran

ABSTRACT Objective The incidence of various causes of unilateral vocal cord palsy (UVCP) has been found to change over time and place. To arrive at the correct diagnosis is important in determining the prognosis as well as the time and mode of intervention. This study intends to evaluate the current etiological profile of unilateral vocal cord palsy in our center and compare it with the previous studies. Methods A retrospective study of case records of all consecutive patients with a diagnosis of UVCP presented to Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, South India in the period between September 2002 and May 2009 was conducted. The exclusion criteria were all laryngeal and hypopharyngeal malignancies, intubation injuries and cricoarytenoid joint ankylosis. Factors taken for analysis were age, gender, side of palsy and etiology. Results A total of 121 cases including 88 males and 33 females in the age range of 2 to 86 years were studied. 61.1% patients had left-sided palsy and 38.8% had right-sided palsy. The incidence of various etiologies were idiopathic (42.1%), surgical trauma (22.3%), nonsurgical trauma (6.61%), nonlaryngeal malignancy (6.61%), central (12.4%) and other benign lesions (9.09%). The incidence of all nonthyroidectomy surgeries together (59.3%) was more than that of thyroidectomy (40.7%). The most common individual surgical procedure was still thyroidectomy (11 cases, 40.7%) followed by coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (7 cases, 25.9%). Conclusion Idiopathic vocal cord palsy constituted the major subgroup. Thyroidectomy continues to be the single most common surgical procedure responsible for vocal cord palsy. Cardiac surgeries, trauma and cerebrovascular accidents are also increasingly causing vocal cord palsy, which is suggestive of the changing trend in life style and life expectancy. The right recurrent laryngeal nerve is not at higher risk than the left in thyroid surgery. Benign thyroid swellings also contribute significantly to UVCP.

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 84 (5) ◽  
pp. 793-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Schumacher ◽  
Irvin J. Weinfeld ◽  
Robert H. Bartlett

Five cases of unilateral vocal cord paralysis/ paresis were diagnosed following extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for newborn respiratory failure. All were right sided and transient in nature. None of the five patients had other findings commonly associated with vocal cord palsy. The extracorporeal membrane oxygenation procedure requires surgical dissection in the carotid sheath on the right side of the neck, an area immediately adjacent to both the vagus and recurrent laryngeal nerve. It is speculated that vocal cord paralysis in these infants was acquired as a result of the extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation. Although the vocal cord paralysis resolved in all cases, two patients had difficult courses after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Therefore, laryngoscopic examination should be considered for patients after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.


1990 ◽  
Vol 104 (8) ◽  
pp. 654-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil B. Solomons ◽  
Jonathan R. Livesey

AbstractA 67-year-old man presented with a 45-year history of a weak voice. This was the result of polio which had left him with a right vocal cord palsy.The patient underwent a Teflon injection of the right vocal cord under general anaesthesia to improve the quality of his voice. In the immediate post-operative period, he suffered acute upper airway obstruction. The problem of acute upper airway obstruction following Teflon injection is considered and its management with nebulized adrenaline and a helium/oxygen mixture is discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emma Richards ◽  
Ravinder Suman ◽  
Nikoleta Skalidi ◽  
Christopher Jennings

Abstract We report an unusual case of vocal cord palsy secondary which developed following insertion of a central line. A 46-year-old gentleman was admitted with seizure activity and reduced GCS. Following failed attempts at establishing intravenous or intraosseous access, a central line was placed into the right internal jugular vein. After extubation, the patient was found to have a right vocal cord palsy. Contemporaneous computed tomography (CT) imaging of the neck and thorax was performed to determine the cause of the palsy. Although this CT was clear, review of the original trauma CT showed a haematoma within the right carotid sheath. This led to a diagnosis of neuropraxia secondary to haematoma from central venous catheterisation. The patient went on to make a full recovery. We discuss our case with review of previous literature and discussion of management in such situations.


2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 230-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevan Stojanovic ◽  
Ljubica Zivic ◽  
Jasmina Stojanovic ◽  
Branislav Belic

Introduction. The incidence of cricoarytenoid joint fixation in case of rheumatoid arthritis is 17 to 33%. In later stages of rheumatoid arthritis, a gradual fixation of cricoarytenoid joint develops and both halves of the larynx become less movable which calls for endotracheal intubation; while total fixation of this joint demands surgical tracheotomy. Hashimoto thyroiditis can display symptoms which are difficult to distinguish from the ones present in total fixation of cricoarytenoid joint caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Case Outline. A 60-year-old woman in terminal stage of rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto thyroiditis, diagnosed after clinical and other examinations. She was treated for strident breathing with surgical tracheotomy. The microscopic examination of the larynx with the use of laryngoscopic pincers suggested the immovability of the right and very limited movability of the left arytenoid cartilage. A computerized endovideostroboscopy showed only passive vertical vibrating movements of the right vocal cord and irregular vibrations of the left vocal cord. Conclusion. Total fixation of the cricoarytenoid joint can be caused by many pathological processes, but so far references have shown no case of rheumatoid arthritis and Hashimoto thyroiditis. In differential diagnostics, one of many examinations is the microscopic examination of the larynx, but it is very important to determine the movability of the arytenoid cartilage with the use of appropriate instruments in total endotracheal anaesthesia while the patient is fully relaxed. Movements in cricoarytenoid joints in patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis and the same conditions are preserved.


2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 253
Author(s):  
Renyuan Li ◽  
Yiming Ni ◽  
Peng Teng ◽  
Weidong Li

<p>Coronary artery fistula (CAF) is a rare entity. Sometimes it may associate with mild diffuse or segmental coronary ectasia. CAF with giant coronary artery is exceptionally rare. We present a unique case of a 49-year-old female patient with a giant right coronary artery of diffuse ectasia coexisting with a fistula draining into the right ventricle. To our best knowledge, CAF with diffuse coronary ectasia of such giant size has never been reported. The patient was treated successfully by resection of the dilated right coronary artery, fistula closure, and coronary artery bypass grafting.</p>


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja R. Gopaldas ◽  
Faisal G. Bakaeen ◽  
Danny Chu ◽  
Joseph S. Coselli ◽  
Denton A. Cooley

The future of cardiothoracic surgery faces a lofty challenge with the advancement of percutaneous technology and minimally invasive approaches. Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, once a lucrative operation and the driving force of our specialty, faces challenges with competitive stenting and poor reimbursements, contributing to a drop in applicants to our specialty that is further fueled by the negative information that members of other specialties impart to trainees. In the current era of explosive technological progress, the great diversity of our field should be viewed as a source of excitement, rather than confusion, for the upcoming generation. The ideal future cardiac surgeon must be a "surgeon-innovator," a reincarnation of the pioneering cardiac surgeons of the "golden age" of medicine. Equipped with the right skills, new graduates will land high-quality jobs that will help them to mature and excel. Mentorship is a key component at all stages of cardiothoracic training and career development. We review the main challenges facing our specialty�length of training, long hours, financial hardship, and uncertainty about the future, mentorship, and jobs�and we present individual perspectives from both residents and faculty members.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Aditi Sinha ◽  
Alexander Geragotellis ◽  
Guntaj Kaur Singh ◽  
Devika Verma ◽  
Daniyal Matin Ansari ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Vocal cord palsy is one of the recognised complications of complex cardiac surgery in the paediatric population. While there is an abundance of literature highlighting the presence of this complication, there is a scarcity of research focusing on the pathophysiology, presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options available for children affected by vocal cord palsy. Materials and methods: Electronic searches were conducted using the search terms: “Vocal Cord Palsy,” “VCP,” “Vocal Cord Injury,” “Paediatric Heart Surgery,” “Congenital Heart Surgery,” “Pediatric Heart Surgery,” “Vocal Fold Movement Impairment,” “VFMI,” “Vocal Fold Palsy,” “PDA Ligation.” The inclusion criteria were any articles discussing the outcomes of vocal cord palsy following paediatric cardiac surgery. Results: The two main populations affected by vocal cord palsy are children undergoing aortic arch surgery or those undergoing PDA ligation. There is paucity of prospective follow-up studies; it is therefore difficult to reliably assess the current approaches and the long-term implications of management options. Conclusion: Vocal cord palsy can be a devastating complication following cardiac surgery, which if left untreated, could potentially result in debilitation of quality of life and in severe circumstances could even lead to death. Currently, there is not enough high-quality evidence in the literature to aid recognition, diagnosis, and management leaving clinicians to extrapolate evidence from adult studies to make clinical judgements. Future research with a focus on the paediatric perspective is necessary in providing evidence for good standards of care.


Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 636
Author(s):  
Masato Tanaka ◽  
Sumeet Sonawane ◽  
Koji Uotani ◽  
Yoshihiro Fujiwara ◽  
Kittipong Sessumpun ◽  
...  

Background: Percutaneous biopsy under computed tomography (CT) guidance is a standard technique to obtain a definitive diagnosis when spinal tumors, metastases or infections are suspected. However, specimens obtained using a needle are sometimes inadequate for correct diagnosis. This report describes a unique biopsy technique which is C-arm free O-arm navigated using microforceps. This has not been previously described as a biopsy procedure. Case description: A 74-year-old man with T1 vertebra pathology was referred to our hospital with muscle weakness of the right hand, clumsiness and cervicothoracic pain. CT-guided biopsy was performed, but histopathological diagnosis could not be obtained due to insufficient tissue. The patient then underwent biopsy under O-arm navigation, so we could obtain sufficient tissue and small cell carcinoma was diagnosed on histopathological examination. A patient later received chemotherapy and radiation. Conclusions: C-arm free O-arm navigated biopsy is an effective technique for obtaining sufficient material from spine pathologies. Tissue from an exact pathological site can be obtained with 3-D images. This new O-arm navigation biopsy may provide an alternative to repeat CT-guided or open biopsy.


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