Recurrent vocal fold paralysis and parsonage-turner syndrome

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology

Background:

• Parsonage-Turner syndrome (neuralgic amyotrophy) is acute brachial plexus neuritis.
• It typically causes shoulder pain and muscle weakness but can affect other nerves, like the recurrent laryngeal nerve.
• Idiopathic vocal fold paralysis (VFP) accounts for 12% of VFP cases, with rare recurrence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the association between Parsonage-Turner syndrome and recurrent vocal fold paralysis.
• To suggest considering neuralgic amyotrophy in the differential diagnosis of idiopathic VFP.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a male patient with isolated recurrent unilateral right vocal fold paralysis.
• Patient had a prior diagnosis of Parsonage-Turner syndrome years earlier.

Main Results:

• The patient presented with isolated recurrent unilateral right vocal fold paralysis.
• A history of Parsonage-Turner syndrome was noted.

Conclusions:

• Shoulder pain and muscle atrophy (amyotrophy) should be investigated in patients with unexplained dysphonia.
• Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a potential diagnosis for idiopathic vocal fold paralysis.