title: Mediastinal traction injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve: An unusual cause for a hoarse voice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chest wall trauma is a frequent cause for emergency department presentations, with traumatic pneumathoraces a relatively common occurance. Vocal cord paralysis however, is uncommon.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 44 year old man presented with a traumatic pneumothorax following a fall. A weak and hoarse voice was noted and vocal cord palsy demonstrated on indirect laryngoscopy. CT chest was unremarkable for mediastinal lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians need be mindful of traction injuries to mediastinal structures when examining those with chest wall injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Division of Surgery, Western Health, Footscray, VIC, Australia.
authors.forename: Michael K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Ng
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barling
authors.forename: Sorway
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chan
keywords: dysphonia; laryngeal nerve; mediastinum