Erica Rego1, Ahmed Abdelmeguid2, Yuqi Kevin Wang3, Karuna Dewan2. 1. New Jersey Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA. 2. Division of Laryngology, Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. 3. Division of Neuroradiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Dysphagia after pneumonectomy is uncommon but concerning. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of dysphonia secondary to postpneumonectomy syndrome. Case Report. A 66-year-old female with stage IIIa adenocarcinoma of the lung was treated with a left pneumonectomy. Three years later, she presented with severe dysphagia, dyspnea, and dysphonia. Esophagram demonstrated severely deviated esophagus to the left of midline, attributed to prior left-sided pneumonectomy, without clear evidence of any external compression. Chest CT scan showed associated leftward mediastinal shift. This patient was treated with voice therapy and an exclusion diet, as the patient elected not to have surgery. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of dysphonia accompanying severe dysphagia following left pneumonectomy. While postpneumonectomy syndrome is rare, a high degree of clinical suspicion is recommended when treating patients with history of pneumonectomy.
OBJECTIVE: Dysphagia after pneumonectomy is uncommon but concerning. The purpose of this paper is to present a case of dysphonia secondary to postpneumonectomy syndrome. Case Report. A 66-year-old female with stage IIIa adenocarcinoma of the lung was treated with a left pneumonectomy. Three years later, she presented with severe dysphagia, dyspnea, and dysphonia. Esophagram demonstrated severely deviated esophagus to the left of midline, attributed to prior left-sided pneumonectomy, without clear evidence of any external compression. Chest CT scan showed associated leftward mediastinal shift. This patient was treated with voice therapy and an exclusion diet, as the patient elected not to have surgery. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of dysphonia accompanying severe dysphagia following left pneumonectomy. While postpneumonectomy syndrome is rare, a high degree of clinical suspicion is recommended when treating patients with history of pneumonectomy.
Authors: Christopher Soll; Dieter Hahnloser; Thomas Frauenfelder; Erich W Russi; Walter Weder; Peter B Kestenholz Journal: Eur J Cardiothorac Surg Date: 2008-11-21 Impact factor: 4.191