Paralysis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Paralysis, including details on treatment, diagnosis, facial paralysis, sleep paralysis.

Vocal fold palsy due to plombage for tuberculosis.

Barnett GC, Smith IE, Wells FC, Shneerson JM

Oncology Centre, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

A 67-year-old patient, who had previously undergone Lucite ball plombage for pulmonary tuberculosis, presented with a hoarse voice, intermittent stridor and breathlessness. Direct laryngoscopy confirmed a left vocal fold palsy. A left supraclavicular mass became apparent and a computerized tomograph (CT) scan showed that a Lucite ball had migrated into her supraclavicular fossa. Subsequently she developed left arm pain and weakness. The balls were removed surgically, following which her arm symptoms improved but her voice remained unchanged. Migration of implanted material should be considered when new symptoms appear in patients who have undergone plombage treatment.

Published 14 April 2005 in J Laryngol Otol, 119(2): 138-9.
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