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Updated: Apr 15, 2026

Minimally Invasive Murine Laryngoscopy for Close-Up Imaging of Laryngeal Motion During Breathing and Swallowing
Published on: December 1, 2023
[Pediatric reversible acute velar palsy: A case report]
C Brecheteau1, L Laccourreye1, S Gueden2
1Service d'oto-rhino-laryngologie et de chirurgie cervico-faciale, centre hospitalier et universitaire d'Angers, 4, rue Larrey, 49933 Angers cedex 9, France.
Insights
Acute idiopathic velopharyngeal reversible paralysis in children is rare. This case highlights rapid recovery with corticosteroids, suggesting avoiding extensive testing for similar presentations.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Acute idiopathic velopharyngeal reversible paralysis is a rare condition in children.
- Approximately 40 cases have been documented in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 12-year-old boy presented with rhinolalia, nasal regurgitation, and facial asymmetry.
- Diagnosis revealed rhombencephalitis caused by enterovirus.
- Treatment with oral corticosteroids led to rapid symptom improvement within 3 days.
Findings:
- Complete symptom regression was observed after one month of monitoring.
- Imaging results in similar cases are typically normal.
- Recovery, with or without corticosteroids, is the usual outcome.
Implications:
- Suggests that a characteristic clinical presentation of velopharyngeal paralysis warrants conservative diagnostic approaches.
- Highlights the potential efficacy of corticosteroids in managing enteroviral rhombencephalitis.
- Advocates for limiting costly and unnecessary investigations in suspected cases.
Introduction:
Approximately 40 cases of acute idiopathic velopharyngeal reversible paralysis in the pediatric population have been reported in the literature.
Observation:
We present the case of a 12-year-old boy who had consulted in pediatric emergency departments for symptomatology including rhinolalia, nasal regurgitation, and deviation of the labial commissure. Paraclinical explorations helped diagnose rhombencephalitis with enterovirus. The introduction of oral corticosteroids was followed by rapid clinical improvement in 3 days. Monitoring 1 month later showed complete regression of symptoms.
Discussion:
Similar cases in the literature describe the occurrence of nasal regurgitation and rhinolalia, sometimes associated with other cranial nerve impairment. The pathogenesis is rarely highlighted and the imaging results are always normal. Ad integrum recovery with or without corticosteroids is the rule. In light of this literature review, it is possible to conclude that the occurrence of such a suggestive clinical picture should limit the often costly and unnecessary additional tests.
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