Head Neck. 1997 May;19(3):235-7. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199705)19:3<235::aid-hed13>3.0.co;2-a.

Impaired vocal cord mobility in the setting of acute suppurative thyroiditis.

Head & neck

C M Boyd, R M Esclamado, S A Telian

PMID: 9142526 DOI: 10.1002/(sici)1097-0347(199705)19:3<235::aid-hed13>3.0.co;2-a

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Acute suppurative thyroiditis is an increasingly rare entity, accounting for less than 0.1% of thyroid surgery. This is the first report in the literature of acute thyroiditis causing a unilateral reversible vocal cord paralysis.

METHODS: A 41-year-old woman was initially seen with a unilateral vocal cord paralysis resulting from acute suppurative thyroiditis.

RESULTS: The vocal cord paralysis resolved following surgical drainage of the thyroid abscess and treatment with intravenous antibiotics.

CONCLUSIONS: We present this case to emphasize the need for a complete and thorough head and neck exam including preoperative documentation of vocal cord mobility.

Substances

• Anti-Bacterial Agents

MeSH terms

• Acute Disease
• Adult
• Anti-Bacterial Agents / therapeutic use
• Bacteroidaceae Infections / complications
• Bacteroidaceae Infections / diagnosis
• Combined Modality Therapy
• Drainage
• Female
• Fusobacterium Infections / complications
• Fusobacterium Infections / diagnosis
• Humans
• Thyroiditis, Suppurative / complications
• Thyroiditis, Suppurative / diagnosis
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Vocal Cord Paralysis / diagnosis
• Vocal Cord Paralysis / etiology
• Vocal Cord Paralysis / therapy

Publication Types

• Case Reports
• Journal Article