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Pediatric vocal fold paralysis: a long-term retrospective study.
H Daya1, A Hosni, I Bejar-Solar
1Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, London, England. HamidDaya@compuserve.com
Archives of Otolaryngology--Head & Neck Surgery
|January 11, 2000
Summary
Pediatric vocal fold paralysis (VFP) is often caused by iatrogenic factors or is idiopathic. Recovery varies by cause, with neurological VFP showing the highest recovery rate, while idiopathic bilateral VFP can recover over many years.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Pediatric Surgery
Background:
- Vocal fold paralysis (VFP) in children presents unique diagnostic and management challenges.
- Understanding etiological factors and associated conditions is crucial for effective treatment planning.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the experience with pediatric VFP at a tertiary referral center.
- To analyze etiological factors, associated airway pathologies, treatment outcomes, and prognosis in pediatric VFP.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective case review of 102 pediatric patients with VFP.
- Data collected over a 14-year period (1980-1994) at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children.
Main Results:
- Unilateral and bilateral VFP occurred with near-equal frequency.
- Iatrogenic causes (43%) were most common, followed by idiopathic (35%) and neurological (16%).
- Associated airway pathologies were present in 66% of tracheotomized patients, and prognosis varied significantly by etiology.
Conclusions:
- Recovery from VFP can occur over extended periods, even up to 11 years in idiopathic bilateral cases.
- These findings have implications for the timing of surgical interventions like lateralization procedures.