[Cranio-cervical junction malformations: a rare cause of bilateral vocal cord paralysis].
OBJECTIVE
To report a rare and reversible cause of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in an adult.


METHODS
A 44 years old woman has consulted for a laryngeal stridor with hoarseness. This symptomatology was preceded by chronic headache and dizziness. The examination noted bilateral vocal cord paralysis in paramedian position, and a cerebellum syndrome. The patient underwent urgent tracheotomy.


RESULTS
A magnetic resonance imaging was performed for the etiologic research, and revealed a Chiari I malformation with a compression of the bulb. Neurosurgical decompression permitted resolution of the symptoms, and selvage of the tracheotomy was possible 2 months after surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is rare on Chiari I malformation. It's secondary to a direct compression or an ischemia of the brain stem. The oto-rhino-laryngologists have to know this etiology to make the diagnosis early and permit a neurosurgical treatment.
Benhammou
A
A
Service d'ORL et de Chirurgie Cervicofaciale, Hôpital des Spécialités, CHU Rabat-Salé, Maroc. aidabenhammou@gmail.com
Benbouzid
M-A
MA
Bencheikh
R
R
Boulaich
M
M
Essakali
L
L
Kzadri
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology; D002531:Cerebellum / Q000002:abnormalities*; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005539:Foramen Magnum / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006261:Headache / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D014140:Tracheotomy; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery