title: Vocal cord paralysis after vagus nerve stimulator battery replacement successfully treated with medialization thyroplasty.
abstract: The vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) has been used effectively for partial seizure disorders, however many patients suffer from side effects of alterations in voice. This case describes a new remediable adverse effect of the VNS. A patient with medically intractable epilepsy had improvement of his seizure control with VNS therapy after titrating him to a high output and rapid cycling paradigm with essentially no side effects. After a battery replacement, he was restarted on his previous settings and subsequently developed a hoarse voice. He was found to have complete left vocal cord paralysis, an adverse effect attributed to a rapid titration to his previous high output and rapid cycling paradigm. This side effect has not been previously described in the literature. The patient subsequently had a medialization thyroplasty with resolution of his hoarse voice.
authors: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, 13400 East Shea Boulevard, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA. hoerth.matthew@mayo.edu
authors: Matthew
authors: M
authors: Hoerth
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Drazkowski
authors: Joseph
authors: J
authors: Sirven
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Hinni
authors: Benn
authors: B
authors: Smith
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Labiner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D011211:Electric Power Supplies; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012828:Silicones; D013957:Thyroid Cartilage / Q000601:surgery*; D014630:Vagus Nerve; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*
chemical_list: D004129:Dimethylpolysiloxanes; D012828:Silicones; C013830:baysilon