Dysphagia and hoarseness associated with painless aortic dissection: a rare case of cardiovocal syndrome.

Cardiovocal syndrome (Ortner's syndrome) is characterized by left recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy due to cardiovascular disease, but in rare cases it can also be caused by aortic dissection. An 81-year-old man with hypertension was admitted to the hospital with aspiration pneumonia. He had been developing progressive dysphagia and hoarseness for several months before admission. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study showed supraglottic penetration with barium paste and liquid. Laryngoscopy and electromyography revealed left vocal cord palsy caused by left recurrent laryngeal neuropathy, and a contrast-enhanced chest CT revealed dissection of the aortic arch.