title: Severe Transient Pharyngeal Paralysis Following C2 Fracture Repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We report a case of isolated pharyngeal plexus injury following posterior plating of a C2 fracture in an 84-year-old white male.
  
  
  METHODS
  Methods include a case report with literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The patient presented with dense pharyngeal paralysis and inability to initiate swallowing but maintained true vocal cord movement. The patient required gastrostomy tube feeding for 3 months but eventually recovered his swallowing function. Prior literature on acute pharyngeal paralysis following upper cervical spine fracture repairs is reviewed with recommendations for care of this unique patient population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Traumatic C2 fracture repair can lead to isolated dense pharyngeal paralysis due to pharyngeal plexus injury with subsequent severe dysphagia. Observation may be appropriate in this population, with consideration of tracheotomy for recurrent aspiration.
authors: Division of Laryngology & Professional Voice, Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA.
authors: Evan C
authors: EC
authors: Cumpston
authors: Division of Laryngology & Professional Voice, Department of Otolaryngology & Communication Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA jbock@mcw.edu.
authors: Jonathan M
authors: JM
authors: Bock
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005774:Gastrostomy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D010243:Paralysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D010614:Pharynx / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D049489:Stroboscopy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology
keywords: C2 fracture; cervical fracture; dysphagia; pharyngeal plexus injury