Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Research Articles

Outcomes of Immediate Total Thyroidectomy in First-Side Loss of Neuromonitoring Signal

Use of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy can nearly eliminate the risk of postoperative bilateral vocal cord palsy (VCP) by indicating staged surgery in cases of loss of signal (LOS) on the first side of planned total thyroidectomy. However, aborting planned total thyroidectomy may lead to persistence of symptoms, delay in adjuvant treatment, and patient inconvenience and distress. There are few data to guide a selective approach to total thyroidectomy in patients with first-side LOS. To investigate outcomes of immediate bilateral surgery in patients undergoing total thyroidectomy with first-side LOS. This cohort study was a retrospective review of outcomes for patients undergoing thyroidectomy between January 2016 and July 2023 at an academic tertiary referral center for thyroid surgery. Consecutive patients scheduled for total thyroidectomy using IONM were included. Exclusion criteria were preoperative VCP, deliberate sacrifice of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN), inadvertent RLN resection, and surgery performed without IONM. Total thyroidectomy performed using IONM. Vocal mobility on first postoperative day as assessed by flexible laryngoscopy; secondary outcome measures included subjective voice assessment, other postoperative complications, and long-term vocal mobility. Among 400 patients undergoing planned total thyroidectomy (mean age, 50.5 years [range, 4-88 years]; 318 female [79.5%]), 51 (12.8%) had first-side LOS, of whom 37 (9.3%) had persistent LOS. Twenty-nine patients (56% of procedures with first-side LOS, including 18 with persistent LOS) proceeded to immediate total thyroidectomy. Postoperatively, 16 patients (55% of patients undergoing total thyroidectomy following first-side LOS, including 14 of 18 with persistent LOS) had impaired vocal mobility. One patient had bilateral VCP that did not require tracheostomy, and 2 had postoperative hypoparathyroidism. Of those whose surgery was aborted after first-side LOS, 8 of 22 (36%) underwent completion thyroidectomy at a later stage. In those undergoing completion thyroidectomy, 2 of 8 (25%) had temporary VCP after the second surgery, 2 (25%) had permanent hypoparathyroidism, and 1 (12.5%) developed inoperable cancer. Postoperative VCP was fully reversible in all but 1 patient. Among patients planned for total thyroidectomy who develop first-side LOS, immediate total thyroidectomy may be considered among those who have pressing reasons for same, and where surgical difficulties might be anticipated in a secondary surgery.

Velopalatine and Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Associated with Atezolizumab Treatment: A Severe and Previously Undocumented Side Effect in Cancer Immunotherapy

Velopalatine and Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Associated with Atezolizumab Treatment: A Severe and Previously Undocumented Side Effect in Cancer Immunotherapy

Multiple Primary Malignancies and Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Confusing the Management of Each Other

AbstractDouble primary malignancy though uncommon, we often encounter in our clinical practice. The lung malignancy is known to cause left vocal cord paralysis. Bilateral abductor paralysis secondary to adenocarcinoma of the lung with concurrent basal cell carcinoma of the face is not common. Proper counseling and timely management are needed in these cases of multiple primary malignancies. Early evaluation in all cases of hoarseness can help in early diagnosis and management.

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy Secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy Secondary to Rheumatoid Arthritis

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis and airway obstruction during postoperative period after partial glossectomy

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis is a rare complication of endotracheal intubation, causing serious problems. We report a case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis and airway obstruction in the postoperative period after partial glossectomy. A 61-year-old male patient with diabetes mellitus underwent partial glossectomy under general anesthesia. The anesthesia during surgery was uneventful. After extubation, the patient appeared to have airway obstruction and complained of dyspnea. Flexible fiberoptic laryngoscopy was performed immediately, and the patient was diagnosed with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Therefore, reintubation was performed. The patient was extubated the following day and discharged with incomplete recovery of vocal cord paralysis. The study findings indicate that inappropriate endotracheal tube location and cuff pressure can cause bilateral vocal cord paralysis. The involvement of head position and tongue traction during glossectomy was suggested in this case. Anesthesiologists should be able to consider and manage bilateral vocal cord paralysis in patients with airway obstruction in the postoperative period.

Various neurological and non-neurologic pathophysiological mechanisms can explain SARS-CoV-2-related bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Various neurological and non-neurologic pathophysiological mechanisms can explain SARS-CoV-2-related bilateral vocal cord paralysis.

Clinical variability associated with intronic FGF14 GAA repeat expansion in Japan.

The GAA repeat expansion within the fibroblast growth factor 14 (FGF14) gene has been found to be associated with late-onset cerebellar ataxia. This study aimed to investigate the genetic causes of cerebellar ataxia in patients in Japan. We collected a case series of 940 index patients who presented with chronic cerebellar ataxia and remained genetically undiagnosed after our preliminary genetic screening. To investigate the FGF14 repeat locus, we employed an integrated diagnostic strategy that involved fluorescence amplicon length analysis polymerase chain reaction (PCR), repeat-primed PCR, and long-read sequencing. Pathogenic FGF14 GAA repeat expansions were detected in 12 patients from 11 unrelated families. The median size of the pathogenic GAA repeat was 309 repeats (range: 270-316 repeats). In these patients, the mean age of onset was 66.9 ± 9.6 years, with episodic symptoms observed in 56% of patients and parkinsonism in 30% of patients. We also detected FGF14 repeat expansions in a patient with a phenotype of multiple system atrophy, including cerebellar ataxia, parkinsonism, autonomic ataxia, and bilateral vocal cord paralysis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed normal to mild cerebellar atrophy, and a follow-up study conducted after a mean period of 6 years did not reveal any significant progression. This study highlights the importance of FGF14 GAA repeat analysis in patients with late-onset cerebellar ataxia, particularly when they exhibit episodic symptoms, or their brain MRI shows no apparent cerebellar atrophy. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the clinical variability of GAA-FGF14-related diseases.

MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL BILATERAL ABDUCTOR VOCAL CORD PALSY FOR TRACHEOSTOMY IN A NEONATE

Bilateral abductor vocal cord palsy is very rare, and is still the second most common cause of congenital stridor in neonates. It can also cause breathing difficulty and cyanosis in neonates during increased crying spells, and hence eventually might require invasive airway management. This is a case report of a 7-day old neonate posted for tracheostomy under general anaesthesia.

Vocal Cord Paralysis after Repair of Esophageal Atresia.

Etiology of vocal cord paralysis (VCP) and laryngeal dysfunction may be congenital or surgical trauma of recurrent and superior laryngeal nerves. We assessed the incidence, risk factors, and morbidity of VCP after repair of esophageal atresia (EA). Medical records of 201 EA patients from 2000 to 2022 were reviewed for this retrospective study. Postrepair vocal cord examination (VCE) included awake nasolaryngeal fiberoscopy by otolaryngologist or laryngoscopy under spontaneous breathing anesthesia. Before 2017, postoperative VCE was performed in symptomatic patients only and routinely after 2017. Overall, VCE was performed on 79 (38%) patients (52 asymptomatic), whereas 122 asymptomatic patients underwent no VCE. VCP was diagnosed in 32 of 79 patients (right 12, left 10, and bilateral 10; symptomatic 25 and asymptomatic unilateral 7) corresponding with extrapolated overall VCP incidence of 16 to 24% among 201 patients including asymptomatic ones. Ten patients (bilateral VCP 8 and left VCP 2) required tracheostomy. Of 10 patients with bilateral VCP, three underwent laryngotracheal expansion surgery (left VC lateralization in one and laryngoplasty in two with acquired subglottic stenosis), three remained tracheostomy dependent, three were off tracheostomy, and one died of complications after redo esophageal reconstruction. All patients with unilateral VCP managed without tracheostomy. Cervical dissection or ostomy formation was a major risk factor of VCP. Repair of EA is associated with a considerable risk of VCP and associated morbidity. Cervical EA surgery significantly increased the risk of VCP. Bilateral VCP may eventually require laryngotracheal expansion surgery.

Acquired laryngomalacia as a cause of post-extubation stridor and extubation failure following craniotomy: a case report

BackgroundLaryngomalacia is a dynamic airway condition characterized by flaccid laryngeal tissue and inward collapse of supraglottic structures during inspiration. Although it may cause airway obstruction and requires careful management, there have been few reports regarding laryngomalacia after surgery. We report a case of adult-onset laryngomalacia occurred after craniotomy requiring reintubation.Case presentationA 21-year-old man was admitted to the ICU after craniotomy for a cerebellopontine angle tumor. He developed severe stridor immediately after extubation on the postoperative day 2 and required reintubation. On the postoperative day 5, similar episode occurred following re-extubation and fiberoptic laryngoscopy revealed a collapsed epiglottis and left arytenoid into the glottis. A diagnosis of laryngomalacia was made, and he underwent tracheostomy. Laryngomalacia had completely improved; however, bilateral vocal cord paralysis was detected 2 weeks later.ConclusionsAcquired laryngomalacia should be considered as a possible mechanism of the airway symptoms in a patient with neurological dysfunction.

Bilateral vocal cord palsy as complication of CNS tuberculosis

BackgroundTuberculous meningitis, a rare but severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, frequently affects cranial nerves. While nerves III, VI and VII are commonly involved, involvement of caudal cranial nerves is rarely described. Here, we report a rare case of bilateral vocal cord palsy secondary to caudal cranial nerve involvement in tuberculous meningoencephalitis, that occurred in Germany, a country with low tuberculosis incidence.Case presentationA 71-year-old woman was transferred for further treatment of hydrocephalus as a complication of presumed bacterial meningitis with unknown pathogen at that time. Because of decreased consciousness, intubation was performed and an empiric antibiotic therapy with ampicillin, ceftriaxone and acyclovir was initiated. Upon admission to our hospital, an external ventricular drainage was placed. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis revealed Mycobacterium tuberculosis as the causative pathogen, and antitubercular treatment was initiated. Extubation was possible one week after admission. Eleven days later, the patient developed inspiratory stridor that worsened within a few hours. Flexible endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) revealed new-onset bilateral vocal cord palsy as the cause of respiratory distress, which required re-intubation and tracheostomy. The bilateral vocal cord palsy persisted despite continued antitubercular therapy on the follow-up examination.ConclusionConsidering the aetiology of infectious meningitis, cranial nerve palsies may be suggestive for tuberculous meningitis as underlying disease given their rarity in other bacterial forms of meningitis. Nevertheless, intracranial involvement of inferior cranial nerves is rare even in this specific entity, as only extracranial lesions of inferior cranial nerves have been reported in tuberculosis. With this report of a rare case of bilateral vocal cord palsy due to intracranial involvement of the vagal nerves, we emphasize the importance of timely initiation of treatment for tuberculous meningitis. This may help to prevent serious complications and associated poor outcome since the response to anti-tuberculosis therapy may be limited.

Use of a laryngeal tube for sialolithotomy in a pediatric patient with left vocal cord paralysis: a case report

BackgroundThe laryngeal tube (LT), a closed esophageal supraglottic device comprising pharyngeal and esophageal cuffs, is used for emergency airway management. However, it is not often used in intraoperative airway management.Case presentationA 9-year-old boy was scheduled for a sialolithotomy for sialolithiasis. He had a history of surgery for tetralogy of Fallot and had undergone vocal cord fusion for postoperative left-sided vocal cord paralysis. Following a strong request by the mother to avoid tracheal intubation to reduce the risk of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, management without intubation was initially considered in the preoperative anesthesia plan. Airway management was planned using an LT in case of ventilation failure due to positional abnormalities. Although some leakage was observed during intraoral surgery, it was quickly resolved by adjusting the position of the LT outside the sterile surgical field.ConclusionsThe LT may be a viable option in cases where tracheal intubation is not preferred.

Vocal Cord Paralysis and Feeding Difficulties as Early Diagnostic Clues of Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome with Neonatal Onset: A Case Report and Review of Literature.

Herein, we present a newborn female with congenital vocal cord paralysis who required a tracheostomy in the neonatal period. She also presented with feeding difficulties. She was later diagnosed with a clinical picture of congenital myasthenia, associated with three variants of the MUSK gene: the 27-month follow-up was described. In particular, the c.565C>T variant is novel and has never been described in the literature; it causes the insertion of a premature stop codon (p.Arg189Ter) likely leading to a consequent formation of a truncated nonfunctioning protein. We also systematically collected and summarized information on patients' characteristics of previous cases of congenital myasthenia with neonatal onset reported in the literature to date, and we compared them to our case. The literature reported 155 neonatal cases before our case, from 1980 to March 2022. Of 156 neonates with CMS, nine (5.8%) had vocal cord paralysis, whereas 111 (71.2%) had feeding difficulties. Ocular features were evident in 99 infants (63.5%), whereas facial-bulbar symptoms were found in 115 infants (73.7%). In one hundred sixteen infants (74.4%), limbs were involved. Respiratory problems were displayed by 97 infants (62.2%). The combination of congenital stridor, particularly in the presence of an apparently idiopathic bilateral vocal cord paralysis, and poor coordination between sucking and swallowing may indicate an underlying congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS). Therefore, we suggest testing infants with vocal cord paralysis and feeding difficulties for MUSK and related genes to avoid a late diagnosis of CMS and improve outcomes.

頸髄損傷に合併した経鼻胃管症候群の1例(A case of nasogastric tube syndrome with cervical spinal injury)

経鼻胃管症候群とは，経鼻胃管留置後に咽頭痛，両側声帯の外転麻痺，喉頭浮腫を発症する症候群である。両側声帯麻痺を認めれば気道緊急を要し，しばしば致命的となる。症例は46歳の男性。墜落外傷により当院搬送となった。精査の結果，外傷性くも膜下出血，第6・7頸椎・第6–10胸椎骨折，第6・7頸髄・第6–8胸髄損傷と診断し，入院加療を開始した。第2病日麻痺性イレウスを発症し，経鼻胃管を留置し，減圧加療を開始した。第11病日吸気性喘鳴を聴取し，酸素8L/分投与下でSpO2（経皮的酸素分圧）88%まで低下を認めた。喉頭ファイバースコピー検査で両側声帯麻痺を認め，気道緊急として経口気管挿管を施行し，人工呼吸管理を開始した。第14病日気管切開術を施行した。第39病日声帯麻痺の治癒を確認した。第45病日リハビリテーション目的に転院した。 Nasogastric tube syndrome presents as throat pain, bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal cords and pharyngeal edema after nasogastric tube placement. This syndrome often requires emergency airway management due to bilateral abductor paralysis and thus can be fatal. A 46–year–old man was transported to the emergency room due to trauma from a fall. We diagnosed traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage, cervical and thoracic spine fractures, and cervical and thoracic spinal cord injury, and admitted him. On hospital day 2, a nasogastric tube was inserted due to paralytic ileus. On day 11, wheezing was heard on exhalation, and his SpO2 decreased to 88% on oxygen at 8L/min. Laryngeal fiberscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis, so he was intubated orally. A tracheotomy was performed on day 14. The vocal cord paralysis had healed by day 39, and on day 45, he was transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation. 経鼻胃管症候群とは，経鼻胃管留置後に咽頭痛，両側声帯の外転麻痺，喉頭浮腫を発症する症候群である。両側声帯麻痺を認めれば緊急気道確保を要し，しばしば致命的となる。今回，頸髄損傷を背景として経鼻胃管留置中に両側声帯麻痺を発症した1例を経験したので報告する。 当論文は当院倫理委員会の承諾を受け，個人情報保護法に基づいて匿名化を行っている。また，患者およびその家族から論文の出版に関する同意を得ている。 患 者：49歳の男性。身長180cm，体重91.6kg，BMI 28.3 既往歴：統合失調症 内服薬：アリピプラゾール，フルニトラゼパム，ゾルピデム酒石塩酸，クエチアピンフマル酸塩，アムロジピンベシル酸塩 現病歴：自宅3階からの飛び降りによる転落外傷で受傷した。目撃者が救急要請し，当院救急搬送となった。 来院時現症：気道は開通，呼吸音 清，呼吸様式 正常，呼吸数16/分，SpO2 97%（酸素10L/分 投与下），血圧85/45mmHg，脈拍72/分，Glasgow coma scale E3V5M6，瞳孔径2mm/2mm，対光反射は両側迅速，体温36.2度（腋窩温）であった。 身体所見：後頭部に約20cmの裂創を認めるが活動性出血は認めなかった。右膝・両踵に擦過傷を認めた。徒手筋力テストは両上下肢いずれもMMT 3以上であるが，意思疎通がとれず，詳細な評価は困難であった。持続勃起や肛門括約筋の弛緩は認めなかった。 血液検査：WBC 17,300/µL（Neut 89.4%），Hb 16.4g/dL，Plt 34.9×104/mm3，PT–INR 1.17，Fibrinogen 180mg/dL，APTT 22.2秒，D–dimer 41.21µg/mL 動脈血液ガス分析（酸素マスク10L/分投与下）：pH 7.359，PaCO2 38.0mmHg，PaO2 148.1mmHg，HCO3− 20.9mmol/L，B.E. −4.0mmol/L，lactate 29.2mg/dL 全身CT画像検査：外傷性くも膜下出血，第6・7頸椎棘突起骨折，左第4・5肋骨骨折，第6–8・10胸椎椎体骨折を認めた。 来院時ショックの状態であり，神経原性ショックの可能性を念頭に置いて診療したが，輸液負荷のみで血圧は安定し，入院加療を開始した。血液検査でのWBCおよびD–dimerの上昇は外傷に起因するものと判断した。第2病日，腸蠕動音減弱および腹部レントゲン検査で小腸の拡張を認め，麻痺性イレウスと診断し，減圧目的に20Frの経鼻胃管を留置した。第3病日下肢の筋力低下の訴えがあり，頭部・頸椎・胸椎MRI撮像したところ，T2強調像で第6椎体前面および第6–7頸髄内，第6–8胸髄内の高信号を認め，第6–7頸髄損傷，第6–8胸髄損傷と診断した（Fig. 1）。頸椎カラー装着継続で保存加療の方針とした。リハビリテーション目的の転院調整を開始しようとしたが，第11病日突然の吸気性喘鳴を認め，ボスミン筋肉注射を行うも改善を認めなかった。喉頭ファイバースコピー検査で両側声帯麻痺と診断した（Fig. 2A）。次第にSpO2は低下し，酸素8L/分 投与下にSpO2 88%前後まで酸素化低下を認めた。その時点での動脈血液ガス分析では，pH 7.501，PaCO2 48.8mmHg，PaO2 67.9mmHg，HCO3− 37.3mmol/L，B.E. 12.5mmol/L，lactate 11.8mg/dLと低酸素血症，高二酸化炭素血症を呈していた。経口気管挿管による気道確保を行い，人工呼吸管理を開始した。その後は原因検索を行ったが器質的疾患はいずれも否定的で，経鼻胃管症候群と診断した。麻痺性イレウスは遷延しており，経鼻胃管の抜去は困難であったため，第13病日経鼻胃管を18Frに入れ替えた。長期の気管挿管となることが予想され，第14病日気管切開術を施行した。腸蠕動音正常，腹部レントゲン検査で小腸の拡張の改善を認め，麻痺性イレウスの治癒と判断し，第16病日栄養投与目的に経鼻胃管を10Frに入れ替えた。第39病日喉頭ファイバースコピー検査で声帯麻痺の治癒を確認した（Fig. 2B）。精神状態悪化による昏迷状態となっており，気管切開チューブはスピーチカニューレへの入れ替えにとどめた。第45病日頸椎カラーは装着を継続しリハビリテーション目的に転院した（injury severity score: 17，probability of survival: 0.97972であった）。 Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical and thoracic vertebrae. MRI（T2）revealed spinal cord injury at the sixth and seventh cervical vertebrae and from the sixth to eighth thoracic vertebrae (red arrow), and 5–mm retropharyngeal hematoma (yellow arrow). Laryngeal fiberscopy. A: Laryngeal fiberscopy showed abnormal abducton of the vocal cords. (during the phase of expiration (left) / inspiration (right)) B: Laryngeal fiberscopy showed recovery of the vocal cords from abductor disorder. (during the phase of expiration (left) / inspiration (right)) Cervical computed tomography (CT). Computed tomography revealed a 6–mm retropharyngeal hematoma (red arrow). 経鼻胃管による咽頭への影響は1939年Wangensteen 1により初めて報告され，その後しばしば症例報告が散見される程度であった。1981年Sofferman 2は，経鼻胃管留置中に咽頭痛，片側あるいは両側の声帯の外転機能不全を来す症候群を経鼻胃管症候群と定義した。診断は，喉頭ファイバースコピー検査で声帯麻痺と診断し，かつ原因となりうる疾患を除外したうえで，臨床的に診断することが多い。発症のタイミングは経鼻胃管を留置して12時間後から抜去2週間後まで多様である 3。 病態は完全には解明されておらず，機序として，①咳嗽や嚥下の際に固定された経鼻胃管と咽頭が垂直方向へ摩擦が起きること，②仰臥位で輪状後部が頸椎側から経鼻胃管により圧迫される，③輪状咽頭筋の収縮が経鼻胃管を脆弱で薄い輪状軟骨後板へ持続的に引き上げる，といったことが推測されている 2。その結果，経鼻胃管による輪状後部への持続的圧迫から結果的に潰瘍形成や感染，虚血が生じ，後輪状披裂筋の機能不全が生じると考えられている 2, 4。糖尿病や低免疫状態，低栄養，加齢に伴う粘膜弾性の低下，パーキンソン症候群，脳血管障害に伴う生理的な嚥下運動の減少による除圧頻度の減少，輪状軟骨レベルでの骨棘突出がリスク因子と言われている 2, 5, 6。経鼻胃管の太さがリスク因子とする報告はない。桜井ら 7による10Frの経鼻胃管を留置していた4例の報告があり，決して細いチューブがリスクを軽減するわけではないと考えられる。またチューブの径が太い方が輪状後部への影響を与える可能性は高く，リスクとなりうると考えるが，今後検討すべき事項である。Friedmanらは，経鼻胃管が声帯部を正中で走行するのは約6%と少ないものの，動物モデルで側方を走行するより正中を走行する方が炎症を生じやすい可能性があると報告している 8。 本症例において，初療時のCT画像や第3病日のMRI画像では声帯自体や輪状軟骨後部を含め声門周囲の直接的な外傷性変化は指摘できなかった。咽頭後間隙の血腫は第1病日のCTで6mm，第3病日のMRIで5mmであった（Fig. 1, 3）。リスク因子は入院後に発症した麻痺性イレウスの影響による低栄養のみであった。経鼻胃管はCT画像で確認する限り，声門部では側方を通過していた。喉頭ファイバースコピー検査の際も側方を通過しているのを確認できた。入院後は頸髄損傷のため，仰臥位での安静時間がほとんどであった。しかし，頸髄損傷で経鼻胃管の留置が必要であった患者はこれまで多く経験しているが，当院で経鼻胃管症候群と診断したのは初めてであり，頸髄損傷などで輪状軟骨レベルでの損傷がある外傷症例での経鼻胃管症候群の報告は，我々が渉猟する限り見られなかった。以上から，本症例では低栄養状態や長期臥床の影響だけでなく，リスク因子として知られている輪状軟骨レベルの骨棘突出と同様の機序で，頸部外傷による咽頭後間隙の血腫・炎症性変化が経鼻胃管による輪状後部への刺激を増強し，炎症や虚血を起こしたのではないかと考えられた。頸髄損傷に偶発的に合併した可能性は否定できないが，椎体前面の外傷性変化が一因となり，経鼻胃管症候群を発症しうることが示唆された。椎体前面に血腫を形成する頸髄損傷の症例には重症度の差がある。軽症例では，通常経口摂取が可能で経鼻胃管が留置される可能性は高くない。一方，重症例では，腹式呼吸や喀痰喀出困難を原因とした呼吸不全に対する気管挿管のタイミングで経鼻胃管が留置されることが多い。その後十分な声帯の評価が行われずに気道確保や気管切開が行われていることが多く，経過中に経鼻胃管症候群を発症していても認知されていない可能性がある。本症例は腹式呼吸を呈するような重症例ではなかったものの，イレウスを発症したことで経鼻胃管が留置され，頸椎前面の外傷性炎症と相まって，経鼻胃管症候群の発症に至った。それに加え，咳嗽減弱や喀痰喀出困難をそれまで認めていなかったという経過から，本症に気づくことができたのではないかと考えた。 治療は経鼻胃管の抜去が必須とされている 9。その他，抗菌薬やPPI，副腎皮質ステロイドなどが投与された報告はあるが，確立した治療法はない。声帯外転障害が改善せず気管カニューレが抜去できないこともある 3。本症例では，治療上経鼻胃管を抜去することは困難であり，まずは経鼻胃管を減圧の治療の障害にならない範囲で細いものに入れ替えたのちに，経鼻胃管を留置している限り短期間での治癒は見込めないと判断し，気管切開術を行った。発症から29日後に声帯麻痺の治癒を確認できた。検索する限り今まで経鼻胃管を抜去せずに経鼻胃管症候群が治癒したという報告は見られなかった。治癒までの期間は長くなるかもしれないが，本症例のように治療上必要であれば経鼻胃管を抜去せずとも治癒する可能性があることが示唆された。 本症例は外傷症例の亜急性期に発生した吸気性喘鳴を契機に，各疾患を除外してから経鼻胃管症候群と診断できた。経鼻胃管症候群は比較的近年に定義された症候群であり，とくに2010年以降の症例報告が増加している 7, 9。これに関しては，経鼻胃管の留置数が著明に増加しているわけではないと考えられることから，発症する頻度が増加したわけではなく，この疾患の概念が認識され始めたことに影響しているものと推測された。対応が遅れると致命的となりうるだけでなく，本疾患を鑑別に入れておかないと経鼻胃管を抜去するなどの対応が遅れ，治癒までの期間が延長しうる。とくに救命・集中治療部門において経鼻胃管は留置されていることの多いデバイスであり，経鼻胃管を留置する際は本合併症に留意して管理を行う必要がある。 椎体前面の外傷性変化が一因になったと考えられた経鼻胃管症候群の1例を経験した。経鼻胃管はよく留置されるデバイスであり，両側声帯麻痺を発症した場合，緊急気道確保を行うとともに，経鼻胃管症候群を鑑別に挙げて治療を行う必要がある。 本論文の要旨は第122回近畿救急医学研究会（2021年，大阪）で発表した。 本稿のすべての著者に規定された利益相反はない。

Patient outcomes after neonatal tracheotomy: A retrospective case-control study.

Patient outcomes after neonatal tracheotomy: A retrospective case-control study.

Case Report: Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome Presenting with Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Caused by De-Novel Compound Heterozygous MUSK Mutation

We report the genetic etiology of a case of bilateral vocal cord paralysis in a female infant. The female infant developed dyspnea after birth, which improved with treatment, allowing her to be discharged from the local hospital. At 2 months of age, the child experienced a recurrence of dyspnea and was treated in a local hospital with interventions such as tracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation. However, as the child continued to suffer from dyspnea, she was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit of the Children's Hospital affiliated to Zhengzhou University for further treatment. A second electronic nasopharyngoscopy examination revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis. The child underwent a tracheostomy due to a failure to wean from mechanical ventilation; after surgery, the respirator was effectively removed, and oxygen delivery ceased. The child and her parents underwent genetic testing with next-generation sequencing technology, which revealed that the child had two heterozygous variants in the MUSK gene, namely the c.2287G>A heterozygous mutation (p.Ala763Thr) and the c.790C>T heterozygous mutation. In addition, Sanger sequencing was performed, which confirmed that these two mutations were, respectively, inherited from the mother and father. Congenital myasthenic syndrome caused by MUSK gene mutations can present clinically as bilateral vocal cord paralysis in neonates.

Bilateral Vocal Cord Abduction Paralysis after C1 Laminectomy in a Child with Type 1 Arnold Chiari Malformation.

Background: Type 1 Arnold Chiari is a neurological malformation that may be associated with vocal cord paralysis in Children. In most cases, the vocal cord paralysis is related to protrusion of medulla and cerebellum in the foramen magnum, which led to compression on the vagus nerve.Case report: A 12-year-old child underwent suboccipital decompression and C1 laminectomy for a symptomatic type 1 Arnold Chiari malformation. After the surgery, patient reported severe dyspnea, aphonia, and dysphagia. The videolaryngostroboscopy and neurological examinations reported a postoperative bilateral vocal cord abduction paralysis due to bilateral IX and X cranial nerve paralyzes and a bilateral paralysis of the tongue.Discussion: The type 1 Arnold Chiari malformation clinical picture may present with unilateral or bilateral vocal cord paralysis, which may resolve with an adequate management of the disease. However, the neurosurgical decompression and C1 laminectomy may result in bilateral lesion of the IX, X, and XII cranial nerves, and related severe swallowing, aspiration and vocal cord disorders.Conclusion: We reported the first case of bilateral vocal cord abduction paralysis occurring post-neurosurgical decompression and C1 laminectomy in a child with type 1 Arnold Chiari malformation. This case highlights the importance of surgical steps of the procedure in front of the C1 vertebrae where there are IX, X, and XII cranial nerves.

Is flow volume loop helpful in differentiating between unilateral and bilateral vocal cord palsy?

Is flow volume loop helpful in differentiating between unilateral and bilateral vocal cord palsy?

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy After Thyroid Surgery: What to Expect?

Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy After Thyroid Surgery: What to Expect?

A Case of Posterior Glottic Stenosis Caused by Treatment of COVID-19 with Long-term Intubation

Posterior glottic stenosis (PGS), of which the most common cause is tracheal intubation, is often misdiagnosed as bilateral vocal cord paralysis. We herein report a case of PGS that occurred after treatment with COVID-19 with long-term intubation. The patient underwent tracheostomy and endoscopic resection and showed improvement in dyspnea. The COVID-19 epidemic is expected to increase long-term intubation cases and cases of severe laryngeal injury, including PGS. We need tracheostomy in long-term intubated COVID-19 patients, just like other diseases, and an appropriate diagnosis and surgical treatment for PGS should be performed. When otolaryngologists encounter cases of bilateral vocal cord paralysis, it is necessary to keep in mind the possibility of PGS and laryngeal stenosis and pay attention to the history of COVID-19.