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Acute stridor due to bilateral vocal fold paralysis as a presenting sign of myasthenia gravis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 June 2007

James W. Fairley*
Affiliation:
Sheffield
Marianne Hughes
Affiliation:
Sheffield
*
Mr James W. Fairley, Senior Registrar, ENT Department, Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield S10 2JF.

Abstract

We describe a case of myasthenia gravis in a 46-year-old man presenting as acute stridor with bilateral abductor paralysis of the vocal folds. Prompt diagnosis and medical treatment with pyridostigmine avoided the need for tracheostomy. It is important to remember the possibility of myasthenia gravis in cases of stridor due to bilateral vocal fold paralysis, since effective medical treatment is available.

Type
Clinical Records
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 1992

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