Giant pleuropericardial cyst: an unusual cause of hoarseness

ABSTRACT

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis [UVCP] is a major cause of dysphonia and can be diagnosed during laryngoscopic examination. UVCP is secondary to several causes. Idiopathic left recurrent laryngeal nerve [RLN] paralysis is a relative common clinical entity. In certain cases, a mediastinal cause can be identified. When a patient presents with vocal cord palsy, physicians should never overlook a cardiovascular cause that will help to diagnose the paralysis. Immediate treatment should be administered. This case report presents an interesting and rare cause of hoarseness due to a giant pleuropericardial cyst in an elderly person. We highlight this case due to the rarity of a giant pleuropericardial cyst affecting the left RLN