Bilateral vocal cord paralysis following radiation therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Cranial nerve palsies are uncommon late sequelae of radiation therapy. We present a rare case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis secondary to radiation-induced recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis. The exact mechanism accounting for radiation-induced nerve damage is unknown. The complication may occur years following radiation therapy thus making a causal relationship difficult. As there is no treatment available, the therapy should aim to improve the functional impairment produced by the nerve involved.
Chaudhry
M R
MR
Department of Otolaryngology, State University of New York, Brooklyn.
Akhtar
S
S
D002277:Carcinoma / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D007823:Laryngeal Nerves / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000528:radiation effects*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology