Idiopathic vocal cord palsies and associated neurological conditions.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively review the clinical case records of patients with idiopathic vocal cord palsies (VCPs) for the presence of preexisting or subsequent development of neurological disease, including multiple sclerosis, motor neuron disease, myasthenia gravis, cerebrovascular disease, and Guillain-Barré syndrome.


METHODS
Retrospective case review of all patients with VCP presenting sequentially within a 45-month time span.


METHODS
Tertiary referral center.


METHODS
One hundred ninety-three patients with VCP.


RESULTS
Thirty-five cases of VCP (18.1%) were idiopathic. Eight (22.8%) resolved after a mean time of 5 months. A preexisting central nervous system condition was noted in 9 (25.7%) of 35 patients with idiopathic VCP. A subsequent central nervous system condition developed in 7 patients (20.0%). These included 2 cases of cerebrovascular accidents, 1 case of postpolio syndrome with respiratory failure, and 1 case of polyneuropathy secondary to paraneoplastic syndrome.


CONCLUSIONS
A high frequency of neurological conditions was observed in adult patients initially presenting with idiopathic VCP. Patients with VCP but without overt neurological disease may also subsequently develop a serious neurological condition. Careful neurological evaluation of all patients with idiopathic VCP is recommended.
Urquhart
Andrew C
AC
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Marshfield Clinic, WI 54449, USA. urquhart.andrew@marshfieldclinic.org
St Louis
Erik K
EK
St Louis
Erik
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology