Vocal cord paralysis may be due to a variety of causes and is known to occur in persons with the Chiari I malformation. In 2002, Dr. Greenlee and colleagues at the University of Iowa published their experience in 31 children with the Chiari I malformation that were under the age of 6 (average age 3.3 years). As noted in their abstract:
“Chief presenting complaints included impaired oropharyngeal function (35%), scoliosis (23%), headache and neck pain (23%) sensory disturbance (6%), weakness (3%), and other (10%).”
On examination, vocal cord dysfunction was present in 26%, or1 of 4 of the children. All of the children with vocal cord problems were under 3 years of age.
In 2003, Dr. Tubbs and colleagues at the University of Alabama and Duke University reported their findings on 130 pediatric patients with the Chiari I malformation. Hoarseness, a symptom of vocal cord dysfunction, was present 7 children, 5% of the group. This less frequent than in the Greenlee study. However, the patients in the Tubbs study were older: age ranged from 2 months to 20 years with an average age of 11 years.
In 2004, Wynn and Goldsmith from Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn reported bilateral vocal cord paralysis in two adolescents with the Chiari I malformation. Other case studies in children are available in the literature through PubMed.
Summary
Children with the Chiari I malformation can present with vocal cord dysfunction and paralysis. While more common in children under 3 years of age, they occur in children of all ages.
Posted by
John Oro’, MD
Vocal cord paralysis may be due to a variety of causes and is known to occur in persons with the Chiari I malformation. In 2002, Dr. Greenlee and colleagues at the University of Iowa published their experience in 31 children with the Chiari I malformation that were under the age of 6 (average age 3.3 years). As noted in their abstract:
“Chief presenting complaints included impaired oropharyngeal function (35%), scoliosis (23%), headache and neck pain (23%) sensory disturbance (6%), weakness (3%), and other (10%).”
On examination, vocal cord dysfunction was present in 26%, or1 of 4 of the children. All of the children with vocal cord problems were under 3 years of age.
In 2003, Dr. Tubbs and colleagues at the University of Alabama and Duke University reported their findings on 130 pediatric patients with the Chiari I malformation. Hoarseness, a symptom of vocal cord dysfunction, was present 7 children, 5% of the group. This less frequent than in the Greenlee study. However, the patients in the Tubbs study were older: age ranged from 2 months to 20 years with an average age of 11 years.
In 2004, Wynn and Goldsmith from Downstate Medical Center at Brooklyn reported bilateral vocal cord paralysis in two adolescents with the Chiari I malformation. Other case studies in children are available in the literature through PubMed.
Summary
Children with the Chiari I malformation can present with vocal cord dysfunction and paralysis. While more common in children under 3 years of age, they occur in children of all ages.
Posted by John Oro’, MD