ear, nose, and throat disorders
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Symptoms and Signs of Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal cord paralysis results in loss of vocal cord abduction and adduction. Paralysis may affect phonation, respiration, and deglutition, and food and fluids may be aspirated into the trachea. The paralyzed cord generally lies 2 to 3 mm lateral to the midline. In recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, the cord may move with phonation but not with inspiration. Inunilateral paralysis,the voice may be hoarse and breathy, but the airway is usually not obstructed because the normal cord abducts sufficiently. both cords generally lie within 2 to 3 mm of the midline, and the voice is of good quality but of limited intensity and pitch modulation. The airway, however, is inadequate, resulting in Stridor and dyspnea with moderate exertion as each cord is drawn to the midline glottis by an inspiratory Bernoulli effect. Aspiration is also a danger. 