Vocal cord palsy as a manifestation of cervical osteophyte

Irfan MOHAMAD and Baharudin ABDULLAH

Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia

ABSTRACT

Cervical osteophyte is common in the elderly and is a recognised cause of dysphagia for this group of population. Depending on the location and volume of the mass of the osteophyte, it can cause direct impingement on the adjacent structures such as the alimentary tract and the airway to cause dyspnoea or foreign body sensation in throat. However, such occurrence is rare and compression of other structures to cause symptoms is even rarer. We report a rare manifestation of an anterolateral cervical osteophyte that caused unilateral vocal cord palsy in an otherwise healthy 56-year-old man. 

Keywords: Vocal cord paralysis, cervical spondylosis, degenerative changes

Correspondence author: Irfan MOHAMAD, Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia. Tel: 609-7676420, Fax: 609-7676424

E mail: irfan@kb.usm.my

Brunei Int Med J. 2013; 9 (1): 44-46