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Vocal fold palsy due to plombage for tuberculosis
G C Barnett1, I E Smith, F C Wells
1Oncology Centre, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|April 15, 2005
Summary
Lucite ball plombage for pulmonary tuberculosis can lead to complications. A migrated Lucite ball caused vocal fold palsy and arm symptoms, highlighting the need to consider implant migration in patients with new symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Medical Case Study
- Surgical Complications
- Pulmonary Medicine
Background:
- Reviews a rare complication following Lucite ball plombage for pulmonary tuberculosis.
- Highlights the importance of considering migrated implants in patients with prior surgical history.
Observation:
- A 67-year-old female presented with hoarseness, stridor, and dyspnea post-pulmonary tuberculosis treatment.
- Laryngoscopy revealed left vocal fold palsy; CT scan identified a migrated Lucite ball in the supraclavicular fossa.
- The patient subsequently developed left arm pain and weakness.
Findings:
- Surgical removal of the migrated Lucite ball led to improvement in arm symptoms.
- Vocal symptoms, however, persisted post-intervention.
- This case underscores the potential for delayed complications from implanted materials.
Implications:
- Emphasizes the need for vigilance regarding migrated implant material in patients with a history of plombage.
- Suggests that new neurological or physical symptoms in such patients warrant investigation for implant displacement.
- Highlights the challenges in fully reversing symptoms caused by long-term implant migration.