What is this Condition?

Vocal cord paralysis is caused by disease of or injury to one of the nerves that conduct impulses to and from the vocal cord muscles.

What Causes it?

Vocal cord paralysis commonly is caused by accidental severing of a nerve during thyroid surgery. Other causes include pressure from an aortic aneurysm or from an enlarged lower heart chamber (in people with a congenital heart disorder called mitral stenosis), bronchial or esophageal cancer, enlargement of the thyroid gland, neck injuries, or intubation. Paralysis may also be caused by neuritis from infections or metallic poisoning, or from hysteria.

What are its Symptoms?

One-sided paralysis, the most common form, may cause vocal weakness and hoarseness. Paralysis on both sides typically causes vocal weakness and incapacitating airway obstruction if the cords become paralyzed in the adducted position.

How is it Diagnosed?

The doctor makes a diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis based on a person’s history and symptoms. Diagnosis may be confirmed by a test called indirect laryngoscopy. This test shows one or both cords fixed in an adducted or partially abducted position.

How is it Treated?

Treatment of one-sided vocal cord paralysis consists of injecting Teflon into the paralyzed vocal cord, under direct laryngoscopy. This procedure enlarges the vocal cord and brings it closer to the other cord, which usually strengthens the voice and protects the airway from aspiration.

In another procedure, an implant is placed through a neck incision. The implant helps establish nerve control of the vocal cord muscles. If a person has bilateral cord paralysis, with the cords pulled toward the center position, he or she may have to undergo tracheotomy.