Vocal Cord Paralysis

New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300

The Voice Center at UT Southwestern Medical Center offers exceptional expertise in diagnosing and treating vocal cord paralysis and other voice disorders. Our multidisciplinary team includes fellowship-trained laryngologists and speech-language pathologists who are committed to improving voice quality.

Why Choose UT Southwestern for Vocal Cord Paralysis Care?

The vocal cords are located in the larynx (voice box) and vibrate to produce sound for speaking and singing. Vocal cord paralysis occurs when one or both vocal cords lose the ability to move, which can affect the voice, breathing, and swallowing.

Our multidisciplinary team combines the expertise of fellowship-trained laryngologists (ear, nose, and throat specialists with specialized training in disorders of the larynx), speech-language pathologists with training specifically in voice care, and other care professionals with expertise in voice and throat conditions. Our team members are widely recognized as experts in the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of vocal cord paralysis. Through our research, we have made important contributions to the standard of care and are improving the lives of patients, here and across the country.

What Are the Causes of Vocal Cord Paralysis?

Vocal cord paralysis develops when nerves that control the vocal cord muscles become damaged or inflamed. Often, the underlying causes of vocal cord paralysis are not known. Some known causes include:

Viral infections
Injuries to the neck or chest
Injury to the vocal cord nerve during surgery in nearby areas
Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
Noncancerous tumors
Stroke
Vocal cord cancer
Cancer in the chest or neck

What Are the Symptoms of Vocal Cord Paralysis?

Symptoms include:

Breathy or weak-sounding voice
Changes in vocal pitch (high or low)
Choking or coughing while swallowing
Difficulty breathing
Difficulty swallowing
Hoarseness
Inability to speak loudly
Noisy breathing

How Is Vocal Cord Paralysis Diagnosed?

Our voice care team at UT Southwestern includes fellowship-trained laryngologists and speech-language pathologists who conduct a thorough evaluation, which can include:

Physical exam, with an inspection of the vocal cords
Review of personal medical history
Discussion of symptoms

Other tests we typically use include:

Laryngoscopy: An exam using a narrow tube, either flexible or rigid, with a light and camera inserted through the nose
Videostroboscopy: An exam using a telescope-like camera with a flashing light that provides a magnified, slow-motion view of the vocal cords as they vibrate
Laryngeal electromyography (EMG): Small needles inserted through the skin into voice box muscles to measure their electric currents
Sound (acoustic) analysis: Computer analysis that identifies abnormalities in the sounds produced by the vocal cords

What Are the Treatments for Vocal Cord Paralysis?

At UT Southwestern, we usually begin treatment for vocal cord paralysis with nonsurgical therapies, such as:

Speech therapy, with exercises to strengthen vocal cords, improve breath control during speech, and protect the airway when swallowing
In-office filler injections to enlarge a paralyzed vocal cord so that it comes in contact with the functioning cord to produce sound, for improved voice quality and a more efficient cough

We typically recommend surgical procedures for patients whose symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatments. Our surgeons offer:

Injection augmentation to the paralyzed vocal cord using fat typically taken from the belly
Thyroplasty: Surgery to place an implant in the paralyzed vocal cord and position it closer to the functioning vocal cord
Arytenoid adduction: Surgery to position the paralyzed vocal cord joint closer to the functioning vocal cord to improve speech, breathing, and swallowing
Laryngeal reinnervation surgery: Procedure to connect a damaged nerve to a functioning nerve to improve nerve signals that control vocal cord muscles