[Cause, diagnosis and course in 215 patients with vocal cord paralysis].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the different causes, the diagnostic process and natural course of vocal cord paralysis.


METHODS
A retrospective study.


METHODS
Department of ENT, University Hospital Nijmegen, the Netherlands.


METHODS
Between 1982 and 1990, 215 patients with the symptoms of vocal cord paralysis were routinely examined. In 40 patients additional examination was needed to determine the diagnosis.


RESULTS
A substantial part of all cases (43%) were caused by previous medical intervention, for instance thyroid or thoracic surgery. Neoplasms of the head and neck region or thoracic cavity were a cause in 25%. In spite of extensive examination the cause of a vocal cord paralysis remained unclear in 18%. Physical examination combined with chest X-ray were the main diagnostic methods. Spontaneous recovery of a vocal cord paralysis was seen in 18% of all patients, but in the subgroup with paralysis after prolonged intubation or a viral infection it occurred in 46% and 62%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
A vocal cord paralysis can have many causes. Physical examination and chest X-ray are important tools for diagnosis.
Bruggink
T P
TP
Academisch Ziekenhuis, afd. Keel-, Neus- en Oorheelkunde, Nijmegen.
van der Rijt
A J
AJ
van den Broek
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy