Laryngeal Paralysis

Laryngeal paralysis (vocal-cord paralysis) is immobility of one or both vocal cords due to recurrent/inferior laryngeal nerve injury, causing hoarseness, weak cough, aspiration, and dyspnea (bilateral). Causes: thyroid surgery/tumor, lung apex tumor (Pancoast), neck/chest malignancy, trauma, idiopathic/viral. Treatment: identify/treat cause (thyroid/chest imaging); vocal therapy; medialization (Teflon/cartilage injection/thyroplasty) for symptomatic unilateral; tracheostomy/arytenoidectomy for bilateral airway obstruction; monitor aspiration; neurology/ENT evaluation.

Common Symptoms

Hoarseness; weak cough; aspiration; dyspnea (bilateral); by unilateral/bilateral

Causes and Pathogenesis

Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury from surgery/tumor/trauma/virus paralyzes vocal cord.

Treatment

Evaluate cause (thyroid/chest imaging); vocal therapy; medialization if symptomatic; airway surgery if bilateral

Preventive Measures

Careful thyroid surgery; prompt evaluation of hoarseness >3 weeks.

Department to Visit

It is recommended to visit the ENT/Neurology/Pulmonology department; an appointment can be booked on this platform before the visit.

Warm reminder: The above information is for health science reference only and cannot replace professional medical diagnosis. If you have related symptoms, please seek medical attention at a regular hospital promptly.