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. 2021 Oct 11;3(2):e000205.
doi: 10.1136/bmjno-2021-000205. eCollection 2021.

Unilateral vocal cord adductor weakness: an atypical manifestation of motor neurone disease

Saiumaeswar Yogakanthi  1   2 , Christine Wools  1   3 , Susan Mathers  1   4
Affiliations

Unilateral vocal cord adductor weakness: an atypical manifestation of motor neurone disease

Saiumaeswar Yogakanthi et al. BMJ Neurol Open. .

Abstract

Background: Bulbar involvement is a recognised feature of motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS), both as a presenting complaint and as a consequence of advancing disease. Hoarseness and dysphonia have been associated with vocal cord abductor weakness. This is usually bilateral and has also been reported as the presenting clinical feature in a handful of patients with superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene mutations. Presentation with an isolated, unilateral vocal cord adductor weakness, however, is atypical and rare.

Case: In this report, we detail the case of a 38-year-old woman with dysphonia and a family history of an SOD1 mutation. Neurological features remained confined to the territory of the left vagus nerve for the next 12 months, before a more rapid rate of disease dissemination and progression.

Conclusions: This case highlights the importance of recognition of vocal cord palsy as an early manifestation of MND/ALS and the critical need for monitoring to recognise potential disease progression.

Keywords: motor neuron disease; movement disorders.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

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