What is RLN paralysis?

Vocal cord paresis, also known as recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis or vocal fold paralysis, is an injury to one or both recurrent laryngeal nerves (RLNs), which control all intrinsic muscles of the larynx except for the cricothyroid muscle. The RLN is important for speaking, breathing and swallowing.

What is the function of hypoglossal nerve?

The hypoglossal nerve enables tongue movement. It controls the hyoglossus, intrinsic, genioglossus and styloglossus muscles. These muscles help you speak, swallow and move substances around in your mouth.

What is Paramedian position?

The abnormal movement can be characterized as being paretic, meaning some movement is present, albeit reduced or paralyzed, with complete cessation of vocal fold movement. If a true vocal fold is paralyzed, it can be described as being paralyzed in a midline, paramedian, or lateral position.

How common is vocal fold paralysis?

Paralysis of both vocal folds is rare and can be life threatening. The vocal folds are two elastic bands of muscle tissue located in the larynx (voice box) directly above the trachea (windpipe) (see figure).

What is Ortner’s symptom?

Ortner’s syndrome refers to hoarseness due to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy secondary to a cardiovascular abnormality. Aortic aneurysms usually present with chest pain, back pain or epigastric pain, depending on the site of the aneurysm.

Does pulmonary hypertension affect the voice?

Although aortic aneurysms are the most common risk factor, pulmonary hypertension with dilated pulmonary artery can compress the left recurrent laryngeal nerve and cause hoarseness of voice.

What are the radiologic findings of hypoglossal nerve paralysis?

Otherwise head and neck MRI is normal. Brain MRI shows no abnormality as well. Unilateral atrophy of the tongue is the most important radiologic feature of hypoglossal nerve paralysis. When it is identified, thorough assessment of the hypoglossal nerve from brainstem to the tongue should be performed.

What is the treatment for hypoglossal nerve paralysis?

Patients will benefit from the inclusion of a speech language pathologist to help them with their loss of function, especially for swallow. Patients can be counseled to only chew and manipulate food on their non-involved side. The treatment of bilateral hypoglossal nerve paralysis, on the other hand, is more involved.

What is paralysis and how does it affect the body?

Paralysis occurs when you’re unable to make voluntary muscle movements. A nervous system problem causes paralysis. Uninjured nerves send signals to muscles. Those signals make muscles move. When you’re paralyzed, or have paralysis, you can’t move certain parts of your body.

What causes hypoglossal nerve palsy after surgery?

Hypoglossal nerve palsy represents a not uncommon finding in patients after surgery or anesthesia intervention even when no direct transection has occurred. Many proposed etiologies are preventable with careful attention to reducing compression of the lateral tongue base during prolonged surgery or intubation.