Unilateral vocal cord palsy in a diabetic patient

Remittent isolated palsy of peripheral or of upper cranial nerves in patients with diabetes mellitus is well documented, but paralysis of a lower cranial nerve or an isolated branch of any cranial nerve has not been previously reported. In the case described, temporary paralysis of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve caused vocal cord palsy in a patient with insulin-dependent diabetes. The patient had hoarseness, which totally remitted within eight weeks, presumably owing to improved metabolic control.