Evaluation of Vocal Fold Paralysis through Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study: Case Series Study

Abstract

Introduction: Laryngoscopy has been used to diagnose vocal fold paralysis (VFP). However, there have been no reports of videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) as a diagnostic tool for VFP. In this study, we report three cases of VFSS with specific maneuvers to visualize VFP. The examiner asked the patients to make an ‘e’ sound about 2-3 seconds, 3 times or more during the VFSS anteroposterior (AP) view. Case presentation: A 77-year-old man with lung cancer was diagnosed with the left VFP on laryngoscopy and a decreased movement of the left vocal fold was presented on VFSS. A 64-year-old man complained of hoarseness and aspiration signs after McKeown’s procedure. Right VFP was presented on the laryngoscopy and VFSS showed a decreased mobility of the right vocal fold. A 56-year-old man with lung cancer visited the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine to get an evaluation for signs of aspiration. The left VFP was detected during the VFSS AP view without any finding of dysphagia. He was diagnosed with left VFP on a laryngeal exam. His symptoms persisted after a hyaluronic acid injection. Conclusion: These cases imply that the videofluoroscopic AP view helps the evaluation of the vocal fold movement in patients with vocal fold paralysis on laryngoscopy.