title: Reversible recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy in acute thyroiditis.
abstract: First reported by Nager in 1927, unilateral vocal cord paralysis associated with thyroid disease suggests the malignant and irreversible nature of the thyroid lesion. This condition is rarely seen in benign thyroid diseases, and the function of the vocal cord does not usually return. We present a 54-year-old woman with a history of right hemithyroidectomy for benign thyroid nodule, who had an episode of subacute thyroiditis associated with unilateral vocal cord paralysis. The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and underwent a completion thyroidectomy. Post operation, her vocal cord function recovered successfully. Unilateral vocal cord paralysis can be seen in thyroiditis, and this can be reversed with steroids and antibiotics. If surgery is necessary, care must be taken to preserve the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical Oncology, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore.
authors.forename: Meihuan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: James Boon Kheng
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Khoo
authors.forename: Hiang Khoon
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012009:Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve / Q000502:physiology*; D013966:Thyroiditis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014826:Vocal Cord Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology