Idiopathic bilateral vocal fold weakness.

OBJECTIVE

To describe an unrecognized clinical entity, idiopathic bilateral vocal fold weakness, and propose recommendations regarding the diagnosis and management of these cases.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective, nonrandomized case study.

METHODS

All cases of bilateral vocal fold weakness evaluated at the University of Washington Voice Disorders Clinic between 1991 to 1998 were reviewed.

RESULTS

Four patients with bilateral laryngeal weakness were determined to have idiopathic bilateral vocal fold paresis following exhaustive workups, including videostroboscopy, bilateral laryngeal electromyography (EMG), neurological consultation, and other pertinent studies.

CONCLUSIONS

Performing bilateral laryngeal EMG is an essential aspect of the workup of any laryngeal weakness case, particularly if the etiology is unknown on presentation. Idiopathic bilateral vocal fold weakness is an underrecognized but real clinical diagnosis that will become more familiar with the increasing utilization of laryngeal EMG in clinical situations.