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Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffBreathing problems associated with vocal cord paralysis may be so mild that you just have a hoarse-sounding voice, or they can be so serious that they're life-threatening. Because vocal cord paralysis keeps the opening to the airway from completely opening or closing, other complications may include choking on or actually inhaling (aspirating) food or liquid. Aspiration that leads to severe pneumonia is very serious and requires immediate medical care.
References
- Doherty GM, ed. Current Diagnosis & Treatment: Surgery. 13th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=23. Accessed April 17, 2012.
- Vocal cord paralysis. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/pages/vocalparal.aspx. Accessed April 17, 2012.
- Deckert J, et al. Vocal cord dysfunction. American Family Physician. 2010;81:156.
- Fact sheet: Vocal cord paralysis. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/vocalChordParalysis.cfm. Accessed April 17, 2012.
- Rubin RT, et al. Vocal fold paresis and paralysis. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2007;40:1109.
- Vocal cord paralysis. American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. http://www.asha.org/public/speech/disorders/vfparalysis.htm. Accessed April 17, 2012.
- Hicks M, et al. Vocal cord dysfunction/paradoxical vocal fold motion. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:81.
- Ekbom DC (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 6, 2012.
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