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Vocal fold palsy due to plombage for tuberculosis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 March 2006

G C Barnett
Affiliation:
Oncology Centre, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK
I E Smith
Affiliation:
Respiratory Support and Sleep Centre, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
F C Wells
Affiliation:
Cardiothoracic Surgical Unit, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK
J M Shneerson
Affiliation:
Respiratory Support and Sleep Centre, Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK

Abstract

A 67-year-old patient, who had previously undergone Lucite ball plombage for pulmonary tuberculosis, presented with a hoarse voice, intermittent stridor and breathlessness. Direct laryngoscopy confirmed a left vocal fold palsy. A left supraclavicular mass became apparent and a computerized tomograph (CT) scan showed that a Lucite ball had migrated into her supraclavicular fossa. Subsequently she developed left arm pain and weakness. The balls were removed surgically, following which her arm symptoms improved but her voice remained unchanged. Migration of implanted material should be considered when new symptoms appear in patients who have undergone plombage treatment.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
© 2005 Royal Society of Medicine Press

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