Unilateral nerve injury usually leads to hoarseness caused by reduced mobility of one of the vocal cords. It can also lead to minor breathing problems and the possibility of foreign bodies entering the trachea, especially liquids. Bilateral paresis of the vocal cords leads to impaired airflow, snoring, and rapid physical exhaustion.
Symptoms of vocal cord paresis include:
- A rude voice;
- decreased breathing quality;
- decreased mobility of the vocal cords;
- deterioration of swallowing function;
- voice fatigue;
- difficulty with pitch variation;
- sore throat;
- attacks of suffocation;
- chronic cough and others.
The causes of this disease can be congenital abnormalities, infections, malignant or benign tumors, injuries, endocrinological diseases and systemic neurological pathologies.
Examination before treatment of vocal cord paresis abroad
In clinics abroad, vocal cord paresis is diagnosed based on an assessment of voice quality. To search for neural lesions, an endoscopy with additional imaging techniques (CT scan of the chest, ultrasound of the neck) is performed. To rule out tumors along the laryngeal nerves, an MRI scan of the neck, base of the skull, and brain is prescribed.
Respiratory tests (spirometry and body plethysmography) are used to assess respiratory flow disorders through the larynx. Electromyography (EMG) of the laryngeal muscles measures muscle electrical activity through thin needle electrodes. This test allows you to understand what caused the pathology: a neural lesion or other conditions of impaired mobility of the vocal cord. EMG also determines the location of the lesion along the nerve.
Vocal cord paresis treatment abroad
Treatment of vocal cord paresis abroad varies depending on the cause and main symptoms. For example, if the disease is caused by a tumor, doctors remove the neoplasm minimally if possible and, if necessary, prescribe chemotherapy or radiotherapy. In the absence of any additional pathology, strict monitoring of the patient's condition is established at the first stage, since the nerve can recover on its own.
If the disease progresses over time, treatment with injections of a collagen-like substance may be prescribed. Voice therapy is also provided, which helps the patient to better control his ligaments through special exercises.
Surgical treatment of vocal cord paresis abroad
To improve the functions of voice and swallowing in case of vocal cord paresis, surgical treatment is carried out abroad, including:
- thyroplasty – installation of structural implants;
- repositioning of a damaged vocal cord;
- Reinnervation is the replacement of a damaged nerve with a nerve fiber from another area of the neck.
If both ligaments are damaged, a tracheotomy may be prescribed to ensure trouble-free breathing.
