Heterotopic ossification of the vocal cords after spinal cord injury.
OBJECTIVE
To report a rare complication of heterotopic ossification of the vocal cords after spinal cord and multiple organ injuries.


METHODS
Case report.


METHODS
Acute rehabilitation in the Department of Neurologic Rehabilitation.


RESULTS
A 55-year-old patient sustained spinal cord injury and multitrauma after falling from a height. Approximately 3 months later, after weaning from mechanical ventilation, plugging of the cannula resulted in severe stridor indicating upper airway obstruction. A computed tomography scan showed bilateral vocal cord fixation in a para-median position, with hyperossification of the vocal processes of the arytenoids. Direct laryngoscopy revealed interarytenoid ossification, and sawing through the ossification resulted in remobilization of the vocal cords enabling decannulation.


CONCLUSIONS
Heterotopic ossification of the vocal cords was found to be an early complication of acute spinal cord injury and multiple trauma. This rare complication should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients showing signs of upper airway obstruction.
Zellig
Gabi
G
Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Zwecker
Manuel
M
Weingarden
Herold
H
Wolf
Michael
M
D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007821:Laryngeal Muscles / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D007830:Larynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery