Neuralgic amyotrophy presenting with bilateral vocal cord paralysis in a child: A case report

Acute strider and bilateral vocal cord paralysis is not uncommon in the neo nate but is unusual in the older child. We report the first case of bilater al vocal cord paralysis secondary to neuralgic amyotrophy, a peripheral pol yneuropathy, in a 5-year-old child. An extensive workup revealed a paralyze d right hemidiaphragm, arm weakness and an EMG pattern consistent with neur algic amyotrophy. Neuralgic amyotrophy is an uncommon disorder in pediatric patients which may involve cranial and peripheral nerves including the phr enic nerves and rarely the recurrent laryngeal nerves. We propose that the diagnosis be considered in children who present with bilateral vocal cord p aralysis and other associated neurologic findings. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.