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Vincristine‐induced vocal cord paralysis in an infant
Author(s) -
ANGHELESCU DORALINA L.,
DE ARMENDI ALBERTO J.,
THOMPSON JEROME W.,
SILLOS ELAINE M.A.,
PUI CHINGHON,
SANDLUND JOHN T.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
pediatric anesthesia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.704
H-Index - 82
eISSN - 1460-9592
pISSN - 1155-5645
DOI - 10.1046/j.1460-9592.2002.00816.x
Subject(s) - medicine , stridor , laryngoscopy , vincristine , anesthesia , paralysis , complication , vocal cord paralysis , dysphagia , intubation , airway obstruction , cord , airway , surgery , chemotherapy , cyclophosphamide
We report the development of stridor and dysphagia in a 5‐month‐old‐infant with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia after the administration of four weekly doses of vincristine during induction therapy. Because direct laryngoscopy revealed bilateral vocal cord paralysis, the patient underwent elective intubation. Extubation was performed 7 days later, after direct laryngoscopy confirmed recovery of vocal cord mobility. Vincristine‐induced bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis is a rare but potentially life‐threatening complication. Therefore, it should be suspected when stridor is present, and clinicians should consider visualization of the airway to establish the cause of upper airway compromize in infants receiving vincristine.