Vocal cord paralysis is a common form of voice condition that arises with either one or both vocal cords. The condition develops once the vocal cords fail to open and close properly in a paralyzed state that leaves the airways unprotected.
The right and left vocal cords are positioned directly above the trachea inside the larynx or voice box.
What are the causes?
There are various possible causes of vocal cord paralysis such as:
- Traumatic injury – unintentional damage to the nerves if chest or neck surgery was performed as well as from blunt or penetrating neck or chest trauma
- Tumors – those that form at the base of the skull, chest and neck can cause compression of the nerves controlling the vocal cords
- Neurotoxins
Unintentional damage to the nerves if chest or neck surgery was performed as well as from blunt or penetrating neck or chest trauma can cause the condition. - Viral infections
- Idiopathic or unknown cause
- Neurodegenerative and neuromuscular conditions
What are the signs of vocal cord paralysis?
The indications of the unilateral form include:
- Hoarseness
- Changes in the voice quality, such as loss of pitch or loudness
- Breathy voice
The signs of the bilateral form include:
- Stridor (high-pitched sound while inhaling)
- Difficulty breathing
- Difficulty swallowing
Management
Once the root of vocal cord paralysis is determined, appropriate treatment can be started. If the cause is a tumor, surgery might be required to remove or reduce the size of the tumor.
If the cause is reversible, measures must be carried out to fix the issue. In most instances, the initial line of treatment is speech therapy.
Remember that surgery is not always needed, and some cases eventually correct themselves over a year. The doctor might decide to delay surgery until a year to check if vocal cord paralysis settles on its own.
For life-threatening cases of vocal cord paralysis, prompt action must be carried out. In some cases, tracheotomy is performed.