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Uncommon and rare causes of vocal fold paralysis detected via imaging

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2013

B Sobrino-Guijarro ,
J S Virk ,
A Singh  and
R K Lingam
B Sobrino-Guijarro
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
J S Virk
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Surgery, Northwick Park & Central Middlesex Hospital, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
A Singh
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology Surgery, Northwick Park & Central Middlesex Hospital, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
R K Lingam*
Affiliation:
Department of Radiology, Northwick Park & Central Middlesex Hospital, North West London Hospitals NHS Trust, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Dr R K Lingam, Department of Radiology, Northwick Park Hospital, Watford Rd, London HA1 3UJ, UK Fax: +44 (0)208 8693098 E-mail: ravi.lingam@nhs.net
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Abstract

Background:

Cross-sectional imaging can be used to trace the course of the vagus nerve and its laryngeal branches to detect many of the causes of vocal fold paralysis. The most frequent aetiologies are surgical injury and tumoural involvement of the recurrent laryngeal nerve anywhere along its course.

Method:

This review article focuses on the uncommon and rare causes of vocal fold paralysis that have been detected or diagnosed on cross-sectional imaging.

Results and conclusion:

Uncommon causes included a tortuous oesophagus, tracheal diverticulum, cervical osteophytes and cardiovocal syndrome. These examples are presented with clinical case histories and radiological appearances, and are discussed in the context of the current literature.

Keywords

Vocal Cord ParalysisDiagnostic ImagingOsteophyteAneurysm, FalseMitral ValveComputed Tomography, X-Ray
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Issue 7 , July 2013 , pp. 691 - 698
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

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