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West Nile virus induced vocal fold paralysis
Natalie P Steele1, David Myssiorek
1Department of Otolaryngology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York 11040, USA.
The Laryngoscope
|March 17, 2006
Summary
West Nile virus can cause vocal fold paralysis. This case report details a patient who developed bilateral vocal fold paralysis following West Nile virus infection, with persistent left-sided paralysis long-term.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- West Nile virus (WNV) emerged as a significant public health concern in the U.S. following a 1999 New York City outbreak.
- WNV is a mosquito-borne virus with a range of clinical manifestations, from mild flu-like symptoms to severe neurological conditions like encephalopathy and death.
Observation:
- A case report detailing a patient with progressive muscle weakness attributed to West Nile virus infection.
- The patient subsequently developed bilateral vocal fold paresis, a rare complication.
Findings:
- Initial diagnosis was complicated, with presumptive treatment for Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- Confirmatory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed West Nile virus infection.
- The patient experienced bilateral vocal fold paralysis during hospitalization; long-term follow-up showed persistent left-sided paralysis and resolved right-sided paralysis.
Implications:
- This report is the first to document West Nile virus-induced vocal fold paralysis.
- Highlights the potential for WNV to cause recurrent laryngeal nerve injury.
- Emphasizes the importance of considering WNV in the differential diagnosis of acute flaccid paralysis and vocal fold dysfunction.
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