Etiopathogenesis of Cardiovocal Syndrome (Ortner’s Syndrome): A Systematic Review of the Literature

Abstract

Cardiovocal syndrome or Ortner’s syndrome can be caused due to a myriad of etiologies in the neck or mediastinum. The syndrome can also be a consequence of many cardiac or mediastinal pathologies or even complications of surgical treatment. The objective of this research was to systematically review to provide an overview of the etiopathogenesis of Cardiovocal syndrome or Ortner’s syndrome. Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews was used for the methodology of the review and the review adhered to the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols” PRISMA protocol. The database PubMed and ClinicalKey were searched using prompts “hoarseness” OR “recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis” AND “Ortne’s syndrome” OR “Cardiovocal syndrome” OR “aneurysm” OR “thoracic aorta” OR “unilateral vocal fold paralysis.” After data extraction synthesis was done based on the 24 most relevant and recent publications reporting and outlining this condition. Newer investigative modalities like Videolaryngostroboscopy and Transcutaneous laryngeal ultrasound (TLUSG) are useful for early recognition of this condition before the development of Aortic dissection or Rupture of Aortic Aneurysm. Cardiac physicians and Otolaryngologists must remain vigilant to the sudden onset of left vocal cord palsy as it can be an early warning sign of an ominous mediastinal pathology.