Description
Vocal fold paralysis implies vocal fold immobility due to neurologic injury.
It does not indicate complete denervation, because nonselective reinnervation
of the intrinsic laryngeal muscles may occur immediately after
nerve injury without restoration of vocal fold movement. Vocal fold paresis
implies vocal fold hypomobility due to neurologic injury and may result
from weakness of the RLN, SLN, or both. Nerve injury may be unilateralor bilateral. Vocal fold paresis may present as dysphonia, loss of the upper
register of the voice, hoarseness, breathiness, throat pain, choking episodes,
or decreased vocal stamina. Laryngeal findings may be subtle and include
asymmetric vocal fold movement, bowing, and rotation of the larynx. Vocal
fold paresis may also present as muscle tension dysphonia or in conjunction
with benign vocal fold lesions, such as vocal nodules or cysts resulting from
compensatory hyperadduction.