title: Vocal cord dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: four cases and a review of the literature.
abstract: We describe 4 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and glottic narrowing due to vocal cord dysfunction, and review the literature found using the following search terms: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, motor neuron disease, stridor, laryngospasm, vocal cord abductor paresis, and hoarseness. Neurological literature rarely reports vocal cord dysfunction in ALS, in contrast to otolaryngology literature (4%-30% of patients with ALS). Both infranuclear and supranuclear mechanisms may play a role. Vocal cord dysfunction can occur at any stage of disease and may account for sudden death in ALS. Treatment of severe cases includes acute airway management and tracheotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Academic Medical Center, 1100 DD Amsterdam, the Netherlands. m.m.vandergraaff@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Maaike M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: van der Graaff
authors.forename: Wilko
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Grolman
authors.forename: Erik J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Westermann
authors.forename: Hans C
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Boogaardt
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koelman
authors.forename: Anneke J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van der Kooi
authors.forename: Marina A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tijssen
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Visser
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology*