Vocal cord paralysis secondary to impacted esophageal foreign bodies in young children

Impacted foreign bodies in the esophagus can result in respiratory symptoms including stridor and aphonia. Several mechanisms have been proposed to ex plain these symptoms, but the possibility of vocal cord paralysis and its c ause has not been adequately emphasized. Two cases of young children with esophageal foreign body are described; bot h presented with respiratory symptoms, 1 with aphonia and the other with st ridor. In both cases, the symptoms were secondary to vocal cord paralysis. A possible mechanism of recurrent nerve injury is proposed.