Metastatic calcification of the true vocal cords as a cause of hoarseness

Metastatic calcification involving the true vocal cord

Metastatic calcification (MC) commonly results secondary to phosphorus and calcium dysregulation in end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Only once before has MC been reported to involve a true vocal cord. A 35-year-old man with ESRD and secondary hyperparathyroidism was evaluated for hoarseness. Three years ago, he underwent a total parathyroidectomy with parathyroid autograft to the forearm. Simultaneously, he had a left lobe thyroidectomy that displayed a papillary thyroid carcinoma. Since that time, he continued to have hyperphosphatemia and hypocalcemia. Laryngoscopy displayed a small papillomatous lesion on the right true vocal cord. He underwent excision of the vocal cord lesion; histologic examination demonstrated benign squamous epithelium with extensive submucosal calcification. In patients with ESRD with secondary dysregulation of serum phosphorus to calcium level balance, MC may involve variable anatomical locations, including the true vocal cords. Regarding histologic findings, pathologists must consider malignancies associated with calcification, mimicking a benign process.

Effect of Hemodialysis on the Thickness of Vocal Folds: A Possible Explanation for Postdialysis Hoarseness

BACKGROUND

Determining the dry weight of chronically hemodialysed patients is a common problem. Patients on intermittent hemodialysis often experience transient hoarseness at the end of dialysis. The vocal folds may be affected by the hydration state.

AIM

To test the hypothesis that postdialysis hoarseness may be related to changes in the thickness of the vocal folds.

METHODS

Twenty-five stable chronic hemodialysis patients underwent endoscopic nasopharyngeal laryngoscopy before and after dialysis. Pictures of the vocal folds were taken and the folds were measured using computer software. Eighteen vocal folds from 16 patients were technically adequate for analysis. The change in the width/length ratio of the vocal folds (W/L) was used as a measurement of the folds' thickness.

RESULTS

W/L decreased from 0.175 +/- 0.011 before dialysis to 0.152 +/- 0.009 after dialysis (p < 0.01, mean reduction 10.9 +/- 3.8%). Patients' weight decreased by 4.7 +/- 0.3% (p < 0.0001), systolic blood pressure decreased by 15.0 +/- 3.1% (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure decreased by 13.0 +/- 3.6% (p < 0.01), and mean blood pressure decreased by 14.1 +/- 3.1% (p < 0.001). Sixty percent of the patients had postdialysis hoarseness, and in 72% of the patients a decrease in the vocal folds' thickness was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Chronic hemodialysis patients may experience transient postdialysis hoarseness, and a decrease in the vocal folds' thickness. The latter may result from dehydration.