A Clinico- Etiological Evaluation of Vocal Cord Paralysis

Abstract

Introduction: This is a case study of 61 cases admitted in our hospital to study the various etiologies of vocal cord immobility (including both paralysis and paresis of vocal cord) and to study the incidence of vocal cord immobility.Vocal cord paralysis is a common symptom of the disease which can be originated from laryngeal nerve paralysis following laryngeal carcinoma, oesophageal carcinoma, bronchogenic cancers, thyroid neoplasms, surgical procedures in neck and thorax, post anaesthesia complication,or neurologic diseases. Materials and methods: The present study includes all the cases having vocal cord paralysis presenting in out-patient department of Otorhinolaryngology, examination of larynx externally,by indirect laryngoscopy and direct laryngoscopy was done.All the routine and systemic examination were done. Results: In our study, left vocal cord was the most commonly involved and was observed in 40(65.5%) patients, with neoplasm being the most common cause in 19(31.1%) patients. Right vocal cord involvement was found in 20(32.8%) patients, with neoplasm being the most common cause in 13 (21.3%) patients. The ratio of left side and right side involvement of vocal cord was 2:1 in our study. The longer course of the Left Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve might account for the difference. Conclusion: In our study the etiology which was found to be more common was neoplasms then that of idiopathic causes. The reason behind this could be advanced investigation procedures which allows us to do a thorough work upon any case, but even after that we have found some of Idiopathic causes as well.