Vocal cord paralysis associated with cystic fibrosis

Abstract

The course of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve through the chest brings it in close proximity with the heart and great cardiac vessels. Diseases of the heart and the great vessels are known to cause vocal cord paralysis, probably by mechanical injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. Pulmonary artery hypertension and dilation occur in up to 80% of patients with cystic fibrosis. We report a case of a 23-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis and left vocal cord paralysis. We believe that sudden pulmonary artery expansion produced recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and vocal cord paralysis. This is only the second association of unilateral vocal cord paralysis and cystic fibrosis in the medical literature. The pathophysiology of the cardiovocal syndrome is discussed.