DAMAGE TO THE VOCAL CORDS IN CORONAVIRUS INFECTION

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11603/1681-2727.2025.2.15297

Keywords:

Coronavirus infection, vocal cord paresis/paralysis, complications

Abstract

SUMMARY. Coronavirus infection causes a large number of complications in various organs and systems, given the tropism of the pathogenic virus to epithelial and nervous tissues. The SARS-CoV-2 is able to penetrate ganglia and nerves, causing functional and organic damage.

Vagus nerve damage leads to paresis or even paralysis of the vocal muscles with a high probability of aspiration.

Objective. To study the peculiarities of the development of vocal cord lesions in the context of coronavirus disease and identify possible ways to prevent complications.

Materials and Methods. We observed (consulted) a group of patients aged 30 to 80 years. All were hospitalised with coronavirus disease of varying severity and in the period of convalescence. Red blood cell saturation was in the range of 72–80 %. In addition to general research methods, laryngoscopy was used.

Results and Discussion. The 6 patients we observed had a common complaint of a dry, imperative cough, against which episodes of choking developed. Laryngoscopy revealed that 2 patients had mild right-sided paresis (inpatients) and 4 patients had left-sided paresis during the period of convalescence. Vitamins of group B, C and E were used in the course of treatment.

Conclusions. Coronavirus infection can lead to vagus nerve damage and vocal cord injury. In order to diagnose the complication in a timely manner, daily laryngoscopy with consultation of an ENT specialist and a neurologist is required.

Author Biographies

I. D. Duzhyi, Sumy State University

DSc (Medicine), Professor, Academician of the Academy of Sciences of the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, Head of the Department of Surgery, Traumatology, Orthopedics and Phthisiology

A. D. Klochko, Sumy State University

postgraduate student, Department of Surgery, Traumatology, Orthopedics and Tuberculosis

V. I. Duzhyi, National aerospace university named after N. E. Zhukovsky “Kharkiv aviation institute”

РhD, Associate Professor of the Department of Computer Systems, Networks and Cybersecurity Faculty Radio-Electronics, Computer System and Infocommunications (RECSI)

Ye. V. Smiianov, Sumy State University

PhD, Associate Professor of Public Health Department

I. A. Danylenko, Sumy State University

PhD, Assistant Professor of the Department of Surgery, Traumatology, Orthopedics and Phthisiology

A. V. Yurchenko, Sumy State University

MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Department of Neurosurgery and Neurology with Courses of Psychiatry, Narcology, Medical Psychology and Occupational Diseases

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Published

2025-06-04

How to Cite

Duzhyi, I. D., Klochko, A. D., Duzhyi, V. I., Smiianov, Y. V., Danylenko, I. A., & Yurchenko, A. V. (2025). DAMAGE TO THE VOCAL CORDS IN CORONAVIRUS INFECTION. Infectious Diseases – Infektsiyni Khvoroby, (2), 31–35. https://doi.org/10.11603/1681-2727.2025.2.15297

Issue

Section

Original investigations