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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffFactors that may increase your risk of developing vocal cord paralysis include:
- Being female. Women are slightly more likely to develop vocal cord paralysis.
- Undergoing throat or chest surgery. People who need surgery on their thyroid, throat or upper chest have an increased risk of vocal cord nerve damage. Sometimes breathing tubes used in surgery or to help you breathe if you're having serious respiratory trouble can damage the vocal cord nerves.
- Having a neurological condition. People with certain neurological conditions, such as Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis, are more likely to develop vocal cord weakness or paralysis.
References
- Vocal cord paralysis. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. http://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/voice/vocalparal.htm. Accessed Jan. 22, 2010.
- Vocal cord paralysis. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec08/ch092/ch092g.html. Accessed Jan. 22, 2010.
- Fact sheet: Vocal cord paralysis. American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/vocalChordParalysis.cfm. Accessed Jan. 24, 2010.
- Wareing M, et al. Vocal cord paralysis. In: Lalwani AK. Current Diagnosis and Treatment in Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2827843. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Lustig LR, et al. Ear, nose, and throat disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment 2010. 49th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2356. Accessed Jan. 21, 2010.
- Deckert J, et al. Vocal cord dysfunction. American Family Physician. 2010;81:156.
- Rubin RT, et al. Vocal fold paresis and paralysis. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2007;40:1109.
- Maragos NE (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 26, 2010.
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