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January 14, 2026Clinical Case Reports0 citationsOpen Access

Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis Following Influenza A: Case Report

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DTDung Q. TranConcord Repatriation General HospitalXLXiang LayConcord Repatriation General HospitalWCWinston CheungConcord Repatriation General Hospital

Key Points

  • Investigate the occurrence of bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) following influenza A infection.
  • Case report of a 57-year-old male with BVCP after influenza A infection
  • Conducted neuroimaging and nerve conduction studies to exclude other causes
  • Provided intubation and intravenous corticosteroid therapy in ICU
  • Identified transient CMV viremia as a secondary phenomenon
  • Complete resolution of vocal cord function at 2 months
  • Highlights the importance of considering influenza A as a cause of BVCP

Abstract

ABSTRACT Bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) is a rare but potentially life‐threatening condition. Viral infections such as COVID‐19, herpes simplex virus, Epstein–Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus have been widely reported; however, influenza A is a rarely reported cause. We describe a 57‐year‐old male who developed BVCP following an influenza A infection. Comprehensive investigations, including neuroimaging and nerve conduction studies, ruled out structural, neoplastic, demyelinating, medication‐related, and autoimmune causes. A transient CMV viremia was identified but deemed a secondary phenomenon due to immunosuppression. The patient required intubation, intravenous corticosteroid therapy, and ICU care. Vocal cord function gradually improved over several weeks, with complete resolution at 2 months. The temporal relationship, exclusion of other etiologies, and spontaneous recovery are very consistent with a post‐viral inflammatory mechanism secondary to influenza A. Clinicians should maintain clinical suspicion for bilateral vocal cord paralysis following influenza A for future practice.

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Cite This Study

Tran et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6966f31d13bf7a6f02c00be0https://doi.org/10.1002/ccr3.71737
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