Journal article
Predominantly unilateral laryngomalacia in infants with unilateral vocal fold paralysis
International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, Vol.179, 111922
04/2024
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111922
PMID: 38574651
Abstract
Neonatal unilateral vocal fold paralysis may arise iatrogenically, idiopathically, or in the context of an underlying neurologic disorder. Management is often supportive, focusing on diet modification to allow for safe oral feeding. We describe the clinical course of six infants with unilateral vocal fold paralysis who developed predominantly unilateral laryngomalacia ipsilateral to the affected vocal fold with associated severe respiratory symptoms and feeding difficulty.
Retrospective review of six infants with unilateral vocal fold paralysis and predominantly unilateral laryngomalacia. Charts were reviewed for etiology of vocal fold paralysis, presenting symptoms, operative details, postoperative course, and outcomes for breathing and swallowing.
Etiology of vocal fold paralysis included cardiac surgery in four patients, intubation-related in one, and idiopathic in one. Presenting symptoms included increased work of breathing, stridor, feeding difficulty, respiratory failure requiring noninvasive respiratory support, and weak cry. All infants were on nasogastric tube feedings. Direct microlaryngoscopy with unilateral or predominantly unilateral (conservative contralateral aryepiglottic fold division) supraglottoplasty was performed. Stridor and work of breathing improved in all six patients within 1 week postoperatively. Oral feeding improved in three patients within 2 weeks. Three patients had persistent feeding impairment with improvement within one year.
Predominantly unilateral laryngomalacia may arise in the context of unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Addressing the ipsilateral cuneiform collapse can improve breathing and feeding. This may be an under-described phenomenon and represents an additional reason to include the otolaryngologist early in the care of infants with suspected possible new unilateral vocal fold paralysis. Breathing and swallow can improve post-operatively, but feeding may remain limited by the vocal fold paralysis and any medical comorbidities. Ongoing follow-up and collaboration with speech-language pathology to optimize feeding are important.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Predominantly unilateral laryngomalacia in infants with unilateral vocal fold paralysis
- Creators
- Aditi Katwala - University of IowaCody Anderson - University of UtahEmma Thayer - University of IowaDanielle Hitzel - University of Iowa, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USAMarshall E. Smith - University of UtahMatthew R. Hoffman - University of Iowa, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- International journal of pediatric otorhinolaryngology, Vol.179, 111922
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.ijporl.2024.111922
- PMID
- 38574651
- ISSN
- 0165-5876
- eISSN
- 1872-8464
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/2024
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Otolaryngology
- Record Identifier
- 9984580298402771
Metrics
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