Differential Diagnosis of Unilateral Vocal Cord Immobility

Understanding Unilateral Vocal Cord Immobility

Unilateral vocal cord immobility can result from numerous causes and accurately diagnosing the cause is essential. Typical reasons could be nerve damage from surgery or trauma, tumour, or a neurological condition like stroke or multiple sclerosis. The process, often termed as differential diagnosis (Ddx), involves case history evaluation, physical examination, and further diagnostic tests.

Explanation

Unilateral vocal cord immobility, as referred to in Bailey's textbook, can be caused by a variety of factors. The differential diagnosis (Ddx), or process undertaken to determine which of the various diseases or conditions could potentially result in the observed symptoms, is critical. In the case of unilateral vocal cord immobility, typical causes may include nerve damage as a result of surgery (most often thyroid or lung surgery), trauma, a laryngeal or lung tumour, or a neurological condition like stroke or multiple sclerosis. Ddx often involves a process of elimination based on case history, physical examination, and further diagnostic tests including laryngoscopy to examine the voice box.