About the disease
Vocal cord paralysis is a condition, when nerve impulses of the larynx become disrupted and muscles of the vocal cord become paralyzed. As a result, nerve impulses experience total interruption of their usual function and subsequently they can't move normally any more. This condition can be quite dangerous, as it can affect not only person`s speaking function, but also a respiratory function. Vocal cords are responsible not only for producing sounds, as they also help a person breathe and protect him/her from choking when he or she is eating. Vocal cords are located at the entrance of trachea.
Vocal cord paralysis can occur as a result of larynx surgery complication, different viruses and infections. It can also develop after chest or neck injury. In most cases, paralysis occurs only in one vocal cord.
According to US National Library of Medicine, vocal cord paralysis is in most cases unilateral. After a prospective study, this institution made a conclusion that this condition can be bilateral in 6.82%, in the left cord - in almost 57% and in the right cord - in 63%.
Symptoms
- Hoarseness
- Difficulty swallowing
- Pain in the throat
- Loss of the gag reflex
- Frequent clearing of the throat
- Rapid breathing during speaking
- Voice range decreases
- Frequent choking
- Coughing
Diagnosis
- Laryngoscopy is the most common diagnostic method, used for analysis of vocal cords, as it allows the doctor to view closely vocal cords directly or on the monitor. This test allows the doctor to determine the type of vocal cord problem.
- Blood test is necessary to conduct if paralysis was caused by infection, which affected the larynx nerve impulses. In that case paralysis can be eliminated by treating the infection first.
- Electromyography is specifically used for diagnosis of vocal cord paralysis, as it can measure the electric impulses of the vocal cord muscles and determine if they do not function properly.
Treatment
- Damaged nerve replacing is used to remove the damaged nerve and implant the healthy one. Usually, the healthy nerve is moved from the neck. Voice recovers in the matter of six months.
- Plastic glottis widening is a highly effective surgery, used both for bilateral and unilateral vocal cord paralysis. It is recommended if a person has severe respiratory and vocal problems. During this procedure a surgeon widens the opening between the vocal cords.
- Tracheotomy is used if there is a big breathing disruption and a person is unable to carry on respiratory function on his own. In that case, a breathing tube is inserted into trachea to help patient breathe.
Overall, treatment of vocal cord paralysis proved to be highly efficient and in almost 90% patients were able to retain and save their voice.
Authors: Dr. Nadezhda Ivanisova, Dr. Sergey Pashchenko
