An unusual form of laryngeal paralysis associated with Arnold-Chiari malformation

This paper alerts the otolaryngologist to a previously unreported type of laryngeal paralysis (adductor type) in association with the Arnold-Chiari malformation. A survey of the literature fails to reveal any similar documented cases of absent laryngeal sensory function in association with this neurological defect. All prior reports have dealt with abductor laryngeal paralysis associated with the Arnold-Chiari malformation in which airway obstruction was the predominant laryngeal symptom. In the patient reported here, aspiration was the predominant symptom and was due to total loss of laryngeal sensation. This report describes this patient's clinical findings in detail, reviews the literature, and discusses management.