Cardiovascular hoarseness: an unusual presentation to otolaryngologists.

OBJECTIVE

We discuss the case of a 73-year-old woman with a six-month history of hoarseness secondary to an aortic arch pseudoaneurysm.

METHOD: We present the findings of an extensive review of the literature relating to cardiovascular disorders involving the recurrent laryngeal nerve (i.e. Ortner's syndrome).

RESULTS

Ortner's syndrome, also known as cardiovocal syndrome, is a rare condition, with few reports in the literature.

CONCLUSION

This is only the second documented case of Ortner's syndrome in Great Britain and Ireland, and the first demonstrating an aortic pseudoaneurysm.