A vascular ring variant: an unusual case of vocal cord palsy due to an anomalous left carotid artery arising from a retrotracheal arch of the aorta

Rare Causes of Unilateral Vocal Fold Paralysis: Report of 3 Cases with Review of Literature

Unilateral vocal fold paralysis is a common finding with a variety of underlying causes. The six main etiologic groups include neoplastic, traumatic (iatrogenic, accidental) neurological, inflammatory, congenital, and idiopathic. Various unusual causes have been described including foreign body ingestion, mediastinal lymph nodes, large pleural blebs, tracheal diverticulum, etc. It is therefore essential, that a thorough evaluation and methodical approach be undertaken to ascertain the etiology, before labelling it as idiopathic and offering any treatment. This review article focuses on the uncommon and rare causes of unilateral vocal fold paralysis that are presented through 3 representative case reports; a cardio-vocal (Ortner's) syndrome, Zenker's diverticulum and diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. These examples are discussed with radiological findings in the context of current literature.