title: Bilateral vocal cord paralysis with Shy-Drager syndrome.
abstract: Shy-Drager syndrome consists of progressive autonomic nervous system failure with Parkinson's disease-like symptoms and orthostatic hypotension. It can also result in airway compromise from bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Fewer than 30 cases of severe bilateral vocal cord paresis or paralysis associated with the Shy-Drager syndrome have been reported in the English literature. We present a case of a 72-year-old man who had a 2-year history of orthostatic hypotension, neurogenic bladder, impotence, anhydrosis, and extremity weakness and paresthesias. Hoarseness and dyspnea with stridor developed as a result of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in the median position and required an emergency tracheotomy. This combination of symptoms resulted in the diagnosis of Shy-Drager syndrome. We present the case along with literature review of bilateral vocal cord paralysis with the Shy-Drager syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, West Virginia University, Morgantown 26506-9200.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bawa
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Ramadan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wetmore
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004087:Dihydroergotamine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004630:Emergencies; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D015282:Octreotide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D012791:Shy-Drager Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D014140:Tracheotomy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D004087:Dihydroergotamine; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid; D015282:Octreotide