Unilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Following COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, numerous symptoms and complications were encountered. These symptoms ranged from conjunctivitis, diarrhea, and anosmia to headache, confusion, lightheadedness, acute cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, encephalitis, loss of taste, pain in muscles, and Guillain-Barre Syndrome. Some carriers were asymptomatic and only had a diminished sense of smell. Besides, one of the rare manifestations that may be encountered post-COVID-19 infection is vocal fold paralysis, unilaterally or bilaterally. Case report: This is the case of a 47-year-old female patient presenting with hoarseness of 10 weeks duration and 11 weeks post-COVID-19 infection. Using laryngoscopy, the patient was diagnosed with right vocal cord paresis with incomplete abduction. However, there were no abnormalities found in the brain, thorax, or upper mediastinum. After refusing to take corticosteroids, gradual improvement in hoarseness was observed 2 weeks after her first visit to the clinic, and the patient reached complete remission in 4 weeks. Conclusion: This case represents a very rare complication following coronavirus infection. Considering the sparse reports of such cases, it is extremely important to shed light on the possibility of vocal fold paresis after infection with COVID-19 and how these cases are being managed.