Sudden Dyspnoea as a First Symptom Leading to a Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis – a Case Report

Czech version

Authors: P. Matoušek ¹; Karol Zeleník ¹; A. Menšíková ¹; F. Vlček ²; M. Bar ²; Pavel Komínek ¹
Authors‘ workplace: Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava ORL klinika ¹; Fakultní nemocnice Ostrava Neurologická klinika ²
Published in: Cesk Slov Neurol N 2011; 74/107(2): 215-218
Category: Case Report

Overview

The authors present the case of 67-year old male patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was primarily manifested as dysphagia and bilateral laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy with sudden dyspnoea. This situation required acute management of the airways – intubation and tracheotomy. Vocal cord dysfunction can appear at various stages of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and as part of other neurological diseases as well. Mild symptoms of unilateral laryngeal affection (dysphonia, voice weakness) occur quite frequently, but are usually passed over because of the severe general condition of the patient. Sudden onset of bilateral vocal cord palsy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has been mentioned only rarely in the literature. When it develops, it can manifest as sudden dyspnoea and it may lead to sudden death in patients with this disease.

Key words:
bilateral laryngeal recurrent nerve palsy – amyotrophic lateral sclerosis – sudden dyspnea

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