A Case of Airway Obstruction Caused by Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy in a Patient with Lateral Medullary Infarction.
- Author:
Seok Jong CHUNG
1
;
Han YI
;
Tae Jin SONG
;
Dongbeom SONG
;
Hyo Suk NAM
;
Ji Hoe HEO
;
Young Dae KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. neuro05@yuhs.ac
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Vocal cord paralysis;
Brain stem infarctions;
Medulla oblongata;
Respiratory insufficiency
- MeSH:
Aged;
Airway Obstruction;
Brain Stem Infarctions;
Female;
Humans;
Infarction;
Intubation, Intratracheal;
Lateral Medullary Syndrome;
Medulla Oblongata;
Oxygen;
Respiratory Insufficiency;
Respiratory Sounds;
Stroke;
Ventilation;
Ventilators, Mechanical;
Vocal Cord Paralysis;
Vocal Cords
- From:Korean Journal of Stroke
2012;14(2):89-91
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Lateral medullary infarction can lead to central respiratory failure. However, in Wallenberg's syndrome, obstructive respiratory failure rarely develops. Here, we report a case of obstructive respiratory failure with stridor caused by unilateral lateral medullary infarction. A 74-year-old woman was admitted for acute right lateral medullary infarction. On the 12th day after the stroke, the patient developed respiratory failure necessitating endotracheal intubation. She could maintain good oxygen saturation and ventilation in intubated status without the assistance of mechanical ventilator, even during sleep. The pharyngo-laryngoscopy demonstrated the hypomobility of bilateral vocal cords. This case suggests that unilateral medullary infarction might be a cause of bilateral vocal cord palsy.
