Hoarseness secondary to haemodialysis: case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION

Hoarseness is common and can have a major impact on patients' quality of life. We report a rare case of hoarseness secondary to haemodialysis.

CASE REPORT: A 62-year-old man described developing transient hoarseness after haemodialysis sessions, which he underwent three times weekly. Fibre-optic nasendoscopy showed incomplete glottis closure due to bowing of the vocal folds. A computed tomography scan of the neck and thorax was unremarkable. Speech therapy was unhelpful. The renal physicians concluded that no change could be made to his dialysis regime. The patient subsequently underwent injection laryngoplasty with calcium hydroxylapatite, with marked improvement of his symptoms.

DISCUSSION: A literature search found one relevant article reporting that 60 per cent of patients suffered post-dialysis hoarseness and decreased vocal fold thickness. It is postulated that dialysis causes dehydration of Reinke's space, affecting vocal fold thickness and the patient's voice.

CONCLUSION

Hoarseness caused by haemodialysis is uncharted territory. Further research is required to determine its prevalence and contributing factors.