First Case of Vocal Cord Paralysis in Teenager After COVID-19 Diagnosis Reported

(Photo: Pexels/Gustavo Fring)
First Case of Vocal Cord Paralysis After COVID-19 Diagnosis Reported

The first case of vocal cord paralysis after a COVID-19 diagnosis had been reported. The health report prompted experts to consider if vocal cord paralysis is an additional neuropathic sequel of the virus.

Vocal Cord Paralysis After COVID-19 Diagnosis

A SARS-CoV-2 infection caused an otherwise healthy young girl to experience respiratory difficulties a few days later. Her voice cords seemed to have been paralyzed by COVID-19.

For more than a year, the girl's breathing was supported by a surgical tracheostomy, or opening in her windpipe beneath her voice box. A recent case report on the incident states that in rare instances, vocal cord paralysis may result from COVID-19's effects on the neurological system.

Despite reports of the illness in adults, the authors state that this is the first case of vocal cord paralysis in a teenager following a COVID-19 diagnosis.

"The virus has known neurologic complications, including headache, seizure, and peripheral neuropathy," otolaryngologists Danielle Larrow and Christopher Hartnick from Mass Eye and Ear at Harvard Medical School wrote. "The current case reveals that vocal cord paralysis may be an additional neuropathic sequela of the virus."

The 15-year-old girl showed up at the hospital emergency room 13 days following a positive SARS-CoV-2 test. After five days, her initial symptoms exhaustion, fever, and congestion- became less severe. However, she reported experiencing abrupt dyspnea nine days following the positive test, particularly during physical activity.

Her oxygen levels were normal, but the emergency department doctors noticed that she was breathing quickly and noisily when she inhaled, which could indicate an obstruction in her airway. Examinations for respiratory infections and SARS-CoV-2 tested negative.

The patient, who had a history of anxiety and asthma, was treated for a suspected asthma attack with bronchodilators and steroids, but the medication didn't work. After examining her vocal cords, otolaryngologists discovered that she had paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM), in which the vocal cords contract during inhalation rather than opening. To address this automatic closure, she started speech therapy, but it soon became apparent that her symptoms did not correspond with the normal PVFM symptoms.

After examining her voice chords once more, otolaryngologists determined that she had bilateral vocal cord paralysis, which effectively meant that neither of her vocal cords could move. Still, they were unable to identify the source of the paralysis.

A series of tests revealed that infections and neurological conditions were ruled out. Both her swallowing tests and brain and spine scans revealed no clear problems that might be connected to her symptoms.

Doctors decided that the teen's numbness and paralysis on one side might have been caused by her prior COVID-19 infection, which also appeared to have affected her vocal cords.

ALSO READ: Peter Pan Syndrome Qualities Found in Neanderthal and Human Brains [Research]

Weird Smell After COVID Explained

Some COVID patients have parosmia, and their experiences are well-researched. Those with this qualitative olfactory dysfunction report that the fragrance of commonplace meals and household items has changed as they recover.

From slightly altered to extremely repulsive smell, the experience can lead to a markedly changed relationship with food, along with more general issues such as anhedonia, emotional detachment from people in their immediate social circles, social withdrawal, and physical symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. As of right now, the condition has no known cure or therapy.

How COVID-19 changes the flavor and aroma is unknown. Thankfully, it does not affect the neurons that control taste and smell perception.

One benefit of parosmia is that it improves with time.

Three to four months after contracting COVID-19, people report a change in their sense of smell. Fifty-five percent of those infected can taste and smell again eighteen months later. Eighty to ninety percent of people get their senses back in two years.