Vocal Cord Paralysis and Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure in a Patient with Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy

Intern Med. 2016;55(13):1783-6. doi: 10.2169/internalmedicine.55.5564. Epub 2016 Jul 1.

Abstract

We herein report a patient case with familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy (FAP) who presented with vocal cord paralysis (VCP). A 60-year-old man with FAP (Gly89Gln) presented with hoarseness and snoring for the previous two years. A chest X-ray demonstrated cardiomegaly and bilateral diaphragmatic elevation. The findings of a restrictive pattern on spirometry and daytime hypercapnia were consistent with respiratory muscle weakness related to neuropathy [forced expiratory volume (FEV1): 38%, forced vital capacity (FVC): 39%, FEV1/FVC: 77, partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2): 80 mmHg, partial pressure of carbon dioxide in arterial blood (PaCO2): 52 mmHg]. An ear-nose-throat examination showed VCP. Polysomnography revealed severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). FAP may cause OSA by VCP and hypercapnic respiratory failure by respiratory muscle weakness. Therefore, an ear-nose-throat examination, spirometry, arterial blood gases analysis and polysomnography are important for these patients.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blood Gas Analysis
  • Humans
  • Hypercapnia / blood
  • Hypercapnia / etiology*
  • Hypercapnia / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polyneuropathies / complications*
  • Polyneuropathies / physiopathology
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Respiratory Insufficiency
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / etiology
  • Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / physiopathology
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / etiology*
  • Vocal Cord Paralysis / physiopathology