Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis Research Articles

Vocal Cord Paralysis in Pediatric Chiari Malformation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Arnold-Chiari Malformation is one possible cause of congenital vocal cord paralysis (VCP). The natural history of VCP in children with Chiari malformation has previously been limited to small case studies. This systematic review seeks to better characterize the prognostic factors that may predict symptom severity and resolution of congenital VCP in children with Arnold-Chiari malformation. We hypothesized that the onset of stridor or VCP at a younger age would be associated with a poorer prognosis and earlier intervention with posterior fossa decompression would be associated with better outcomes. PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and bibliographic review. A systematic review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. Database search yielded 866 articles. Study abstracts were reviewed by 2 independent examiners. One hundred and seventy-six studies underwent full-text review. The following were extracted: age at onset of stridor or VCP, Chiari malformation type, laryngoscopy findings, type and timing of neurosurgical intervention, and tracheostomy history. Statistical analyses utilized χ2 tests. Younger age at symptom onset showed statistically significant associations with decreased likelihood for symptom resolution and tracheostomy decannulation. The shorter time interval from symptom onset to neurosurgical intervention was not significantly associated with better outcomes. This meta-analysis suggests poorer prognosis in those with earlier-onset symptoms, reinforcing prior case series findings. Additional prospective studies are needed to elucidate the natural history and utility of early intervention in children with vocal cord paralysis secondary to Chiari malformation.

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.

Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis

Congenital stridor is rare. The most common presentation for congenital stridor is chronic loud breathing since birth. It is noticed in patients by the first 4 to 6 weeks of life. There are many causes of congenital stridor. Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of congenital stridor. Congenital vocal cord paralysis is the second most common cause of congenital stridor. Vocal cord paralysis in infants and children can be either congenital or acquired and either unilateral or bilateral. Although most commonly the paralysis is idiopathic, there are many causes of acquired vocal cord paralysis. Arnold-Chiari malformation is the most common congenital central nervous system abnormality resulting in vocal cord paralysis, and central nervous system abnormalities usually may cause bilateral vocal cord paralysis. In this article, we report 2 patients with idiopathic congenital vocal cord paralysis. One of them has the unilateral vocal cord paralysis, and the other, bilateral.

Applications of Flexible Bronchoscopy in Infants with Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis: A 12-Year Experience

Congenital vocal cord paralysis (VCP) is a common cause of congenital stridor. Before the widespread application of flexible bronchoscopy (FB) by pediatricians, congenital stridor in infants was usually attributed to laryngomalacia. Prompt recognition and careful follow-up is crucial for the management of congenital VCP. We performed a retrospective chart review of newborn infants with congenital VCP diagnosed by FB over a 12-year period. During the 12-year period, FB was performed on a total of 356 infants. Fifteen (4%) infants were diagnosed with congenital VCP. There were eight males and seven females and the mean age at diagnosis was 76.6 days. Stridor with respiratory distress was the most prominent presenting symptom. The majority (93%, 14/15) demonstrated bilateral VCP, while one patient (7%) had unilateral VCP. Seven of the 15 (46%) patients had idiopathic VCP, while eight (54%) had VCP associated with neuromuscular disorders. Tracheotomy was necessary in four patients (26%). None of them underwent further surgical interventions. Spontaneous recovery occurred in 10 patients (71%), and of these, 90% (9/10) were treated without tracheotomy. In order to allow prompt diagnosis of congenital VCP, FB should be performed in every newborn infant with stridor. Patients with congenital VCP should undergo additional imaging studies to detect any associated neurological abnormalities and intrathoracic comorbidities. The majority of patients can be managed conservatively and monitored carefully using serial FB. Corrective surgery should be reserved for those with a lack of resolution at prolonged follow-up, and those with significant comorbidities.

Bilateral Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis: A 16-year Institutional Review

To review the management and outcome of bilateral congenital true vocal cord paralysis in 22 patients treated over a 16-year period and to review the role of tracheostomy in these patients. Retrospective chart review. Pediatric tertiary hospital. Twenty-two pediatric patients diagnosed with bilateral congenital true vocal cord paralysis. Flexible or rigid diagnostic evaluation, tracheostomy, and vocal cord lateralization procedures. Vocal cord recovery and decannulation. With a mean follow up of 50 months, 15 of 22 patients (68%) with bilateral vocal cord paralysis required tracheostomy for airway securement. Of the 15 tracheotomized patients, 10 were successfully decannulated (8 had spontaneous recovery, whereas 2 required lateralization procedures). Eleven of these patients with tracheostomy had comorbid factors, including neurologic abnormalities (midbrain/brainstem dysgenesis, Arnold-Chiari malformation, global hypotonia, and developmental delay). Of the 7 patients not requiring tracheostomy, 6 recovered vocal cord function (86%). In our series of 22 patients with bilateral vocal cord paralysis, 14 had spontaneous recovery of function. Patients managed with tracheostomy were noted to have a high incidence of comorbid factors. In this series, recovery rates were found to be higher in nontracheostomized patients than in tracheostomized patients. Patients can be carefully selected for observation versus tracheostomy at the time of diagnosis based on underlying medical conditions.

Humans are born too soon: impact on pediatric otolaryngology

Humans are born 12 months too early. Gestation should be 21 months. Humans evolved to become the pre-eminent animal in the world, but our big brain, bipedalism, and small female pelvic outlet have caused us to pay the price of being born too soon with all of its disadvantages. Early birth has an impact on diseases and disorders encountered by the otolaryngologist, including otitis media, laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, congenital vocal cord paralysis, subglottic and tracheal stenosis, gastroesophageal reflux, congenital micrognathia, and congenital nasal alar collapse. Many of these conditions improve or resolve completely in the first year of life as an infant's immune system and anatomy matures. Knowledge of this evolutionary process can help us understand why some infants will grow out of certain diseases and disorders encountered in pediatric otolaryngology, while others will not.

Respiratory distress in a pregnant woman with congenital vocal cord paralysis

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord paralysis is one of the most common congenital laryngeal lesions. Hoarseness and dysphonia are common in unilateral cases. Stridor and respiratory distress are seen in bilateral cases. CASE: A 33-year-old primigravida with bilateral congenital vocal cord paralysis presented in the third trimester with a 2-week history of bronchitis and progressive shortness of breath. She developed stridor, her respiratory status deteriorated, and she was intubated with difficulty. She went into cardiac arrest, was resuscitated and placed on a ventilator, and a tracheotomy was performed. Her condition improved, she remained stable until 38 weeks, and was delivered by cesarean. CONCLUSION: Congenital vocal cord paralysis may result in life-threatening respiratory distress during pregnancy. Tracheotomy placement may be useful in the management of these patients.

Respiratory Distress in a Pregnant Woman With Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis

Respiratory Distress in a Pregnant Woman With Congenital Vocal Cord Paralysis

Congenital vocal cord paralysis with possible autosomal recessive inheritance: Case report and review of the literature

Congenital vocal cord paralysis with possible autosomal recessive inheritance: Case report and review of the literature

Outcome of laryngeal paralysis in neonates: a long term retrospective study of 113 cases

Between 1985 and 1990, 113 children were diagnosed as having congenital vocal cord paralysis. Most of them were still being followed up in June 1994. Fifty two had bilateral paralysis, 61 had unilateral paralysis: 41 were on the left side and 20 on the right side. Forty two were idiopathic, 29 were associated with neurologic disorders, six were associated with heart malformations. Fifteen children were born after difficult delivery. Among the newborns with unilateral paralysis that occurred after an abnormal delivery, 73% recovered spontaneously; likewise 70% of the neurologic group and 74% of the idiopathic group recovered spontaneously. The prognosis of bilateral paralysis was worse with only 52% of spontaneous recovery in the neurologic disorders group and the idiopathic group. Seven percent of the children underwent a surgical procedure. They were all decanulated or extubated. In view of our experience the prognosis is poor for bilateral idiopathic laryngeal paralysis or those with neurological context.

Practical Pediatric Radiology

With contributions by 12 additional authors, this book covers the field of pediatric radiology. The text and photographs are generally clear and well positioned. However, in some chapters, the photographs are grouped at a distance from the associated text, which is somewhat cumbersome. The authors set two goals for this text. The first was to present common pediatric imaging in great detail. For example, in one table there are 59 listed major causes of wheezing in children. The reader is left to speculate on minor causes. The authors occasionally make common pediatric imaging very detailed. The second goal, to help solve clinical problems, suffers somewhat from excessive lists. For example, the authors list 12 causes of inspiratory stridor. Congenital vocal cord paralysis is listed first and croup ninth. Sleep obstruction is not mentioned anywhere. Similarly, asthma is ninth in a list of causes of wheezing, whereas vascular ring is second.