Familial bilateral vocal cord paralysis and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type II-C

Bilateral abductor vocal cord paralysis (BAbVCP) in children is most freque ntly caused by congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system, surg ery, or birth trauma, although the precise etiology is often unknown. Centr al nervous system conditions include hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, an d meningomyelocele. Hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy, also called Ch arcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) or peroneal muscular atrophy, very rarely c auses BAbVCP. We describe 3 members of the same family with BAbVCP due to C MT type II-C, all of whom required surgical intervention. Although such an association is rare, CMT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of BAbVCP, and other features of the disease should be sought on history a nd physical examination. Particular attention to family history and subtle physical signs ensures early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of both pa tient and affected family members.