Vocal fold paresis

Vocal fold paresis (VFP) is a relatively common and often overlooked condit ion that can be difficult to diagnose based on the laryngeal examination al one, A retrospective review of the records of 50 consecutive adult patients with VFP was performed. In each case, the diagnosis of VFP was confirmed b y laryngeal electromyography. The presenting symptoms were dysphonia (100%) , vocal fatigue (76%), diplophonia (40%), and odynophonia (12%), and the fi ndings were unilateral vocal fold hypomobility (50%), unilateral bowing (36 %), and bilateral bowing (22%), Laryngoplasty and/or lipoinjection was perf ormed in 54% of the subjects, and significant vocal improvement was achieve d in 85%, VFP appears to be underdiagnosed because many VFP patients have c ompensatory hyperkinetic disorders at presentation, Although the diagnosis of VFP may be suspected based on the patient's symptoms and findings, the d iagnostic sine qua non is laryngeal electromyography. In addition, surgical treatment for VFP appears to be safe and effective.