Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis and Cervicolumbar Radiculopathy as the Presenting Paraneoplastic Manifestations of Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract EN

Introduction.

Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) is a potential medical emergency.

The Otolaryngologist plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and management of BVCP and must consider a broad differential diagnosis.

We present a rare case of BVCP secondary to anti-Hu paraneoplastic syndrome.

Case Presentation.

A 58-year-old female presented to an Otolaryngology clinic with a history of progressive hoarseness and dysphagia.

Flexible nasolaryngoscopy demonstrated BVCP.

Cross-sectional imaging of the brain and vagus nerves was negative.

An antiparaneoplastic antibody panel was positive for anti-Hu antibodies.

This led to an endobronchial biopsy of a paratracheal lymph node, which confirmed the diagnosis of small cell lung cancer.

Conclusion.

Paraneoplastic neuropathy is a rare cause of BVCP and should be considered when more common pathologies are ruled out.

This is the second reported case of BVCP as a presenting symptom of paraneoplastic syndrome secondary to small cell lung cancer.