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Diseases » Hoarseness » Causes
 

Causes of Hoarseness

Contents
  1. Hoarseness: Introduction
  2. List of Causes
  3. Drugs/substances (93 causes)
  4. Hidden causes
  5. Excerpts from book chapters
  6. Complication causes
  7. Causes of symptoms
  8. News
  9. Related cause information

List of causes of Hoarseness

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Hoarseness) that could possibly cause Hoarseness includes:

More causes: see full list of causes for Hoarse

Causes of Hoarseness (Diseases Database):

The follow list shows some of the possible medical causes of Hoarseness that are listed by the Diseases Database:

Source: Diseases Database

Hoarseness Causes: Book Excerpts

Hoarseness as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Hoarseness as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Hoarseness. Our database lists the following as having Hoarseness as a complication of that condition:

Hoarseness as a symptom:

Conditions listing Hoarseness as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Hoarseness. Our database lists the following as having Hoarseness as a symptom of that condition:

Medications or substances causing Hoarseness:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Hoarseness as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

See full list of 93 medications causing Hoarseness


Medical news summaries relating to Hoarseness:

The following medical news items are relevant to causes of Hoarseness:

Related information on causes of Hoarseness:

As with all medical conditions, there may be many causal factors. Further relevant information on causes of Hoarseness may be found in:

Causes of Hoarseness: Online Medical Books

16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE! Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration, for more information about the causes of Hoarseness.

Hoarseness: Differential Diagnosis
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)

Acute (<2 weeks)

  • Infections: Laryngitis, tracheitis, epiglottitis (accompanied by stridor and “thumb sign” on lateral neck X-ray), croup, upper respiratory infections, deep space face and neck infections (e.g., peritonsillar abscess, retropharyngeal abscess, parapharyngeal abscess)
  • Voice abuse: Shouting, speaking, or singing loudly; may also cause chronic hoarseness if the abuse is recurrent
  • Foreign body
  • Trauma: Laryngeal trauma secondary to MVA, strangulation, assault, sporting injuries, intubation, arytenoid cartilage dislocation, or surgery (e.g., damage to recurrent laryngeal nerve following thyroid surgery)
  • Irritants: Vomiting, chemical inhalation
  • Anaphylaxis
    Chronic (>2 weeks)
  • Allergic rhinitis
  • Irritants: Tobacco smoke, occupational
  • GERD
  • Chronic sinusitis
  • Endocrine: Puberty, menopause, hypothyroidism
  • Foreign body
  • Aging
  • Vocal cord problems: Polyps, nodules (“singer's nodules”), neoplasm (primary or metastatic), papilloma (infants and children), corditis (Reinke's edema or edema of vocal cords), vocal cord paralysis
  • Malignancy: Laryngeal, esophageal, lung, and head and neck (e.g., tonsillar, tongue) cancers
  • Iatrogenic: Medication side effect (e.g., pioglitazone, aerosolized steroids), postsurgical recurrent laryngeal nerve damage with vocal cord paralysis, radiation therapy
  • Neurologic: Multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, muscular dystrophy
  • Less common etiologies (“zebras”) include hemorrhage into vocal folds, psychogenic (laryngeal conversion disorders), rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, and amyloidosis
'>

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004

Hoarseness: Differential Diagnosis
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)

  • Congenital
    –Glottic webs
    –Laryngeal clefts
    –Laryngocele
    –Tracheoesophageal fistula
    –Hemangiomas
    • Inflammatory/infectious
      –Viral URI
      –Diphtheria
      –Laryngotracheobronchitis
      –Gastroesophageal reflux disease: Posterior laryngitis, vocal cord edema
      –Fungal laryngitis: Consider in an immunocompromised patient
  • Tumors
    –Respiratory papillomas
    –Squamous cell carcinoma
    –Hemangioma
    –Lymphangioma
  • Trauma
    –Traumatic birth
    –Postintubation: May result in cord edema, granulomas, vocal cord webbing, cricoarytenoid joint dislocation, or ankylosis
    –Laryngeal fracture
    –Iatrogenic: Neck or cardiopulmonary surgery may cause injury to the recurrent laryngeal nerve, leading to vocal cord paralysis
    –Vocal abuse: Vocal cord nodules or polyps
  • Endocrine
    –Hypothryoidism
  • Neurogenic
    –Idiopathic vocal cord paralysis
    –Arnold-Chiari or Dandy-Walker malformations may lead to brainstem compression of the vagal nerve roots, leading to vocal cord paralysis
    –Peripheral nerve: Recurrent laryngeal nerve injury or invasion by tumor, myasthenia gravis
    –Spasmodic dysphonia: Dystonia of the laryngeal muscles
    • Systemic disease
      –Rheumatoid arthritis: Fixation of the cricoarytenoid joint
      –Relapsing polychondritis
    • Functional

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007

Hoarseness: Medical causes
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))

Gastroesophageal reflux

With gastroesophageal reflux, retrograde flow of gastric juices into the esophagus may then spill into the hypopharynx This, in turn, irritates the larynx, resulting in hoarseness as well as a sore throat, a cough, throat clearing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat

The arytenoids and the vocal cords may appear red and swollen.

Hypothyroidism

With hypothyroidism, hoarseness may be an early sign Others include fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain despite anorexia, and menorrhagia.

Laryngeal cancer

Hoarseness is an early sign of vocal cord cancer, but may not occur until later in cancer of other laryngeal areas The patient usually has a long history of smoking

Other common findings include a mild, dry cough; minor throat discomfort; otalgia; and, sometimes, hemoptysis.

Laryngeal leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a common cause of hoarseness, especially in smokers Histologic examination from direct laryngoscopy usually reveals mild, moderate, or severe dysphagia.

Laryngitis

Persistent hoarseness may be the only sign of chronic laryngitis With acute laryngitis, hoarseness or a complete loss of voice develops suddenly

Related findings include pain (especially during swallowing or speaking), a cough, a fever, profuse diaphoresis, a sore throat, and rhinorrhea.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Hoarseness may signal laryngeal involvement Other findings include pain, dysphagia, a sensation of fullness or tension in the throat, dyspnea on exertion, and stridor.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Thoracic aortic aneurysm typically produces no symptoms, but may cause hoarseness Its most common symptom is penetrating pain that’s especially severe when the patient is supine

Other clinical features include a brassy cough; dyspnea; wheezing; a substernal aching in the shoulders, lower back, or abdomen; a tracheal tug; facial and neck edema; jugular vein distention; dysphagia; prominent chest veins; stridor; and, possibly, paresthesia or neuralgia.

Tracheal trauma

Torn tracheal mucosa may cause hoarseness, hemoptysis, dysphagia, neck pain, airway occlusion, and respiratory distress.

Vocal cord paralysis

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis causes hoarseness and vocal weakness Paralysis may accompany signs of trauma, such as pain and swelling of the head and neck.

Vocal cord polyps or nodules

Raspy hoarseness, the chief complaint, accompanies a chronic cough and a crackling voice.

Other causes

Inhalation injury

Inhalation injury from a fire or explosion produces hoarseness and coughing, singed nasal hairs, orofacial burns, and soot-stained sputum Subsequent signs and symptoms include crackles, rhonchi, and wheezing, which rapidly deteriorate to respiratory distress.

Treatments

Occasionally, surgical trauma to the recurrent laryngeal nerve results in temporary or permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis, leading to hoarseness

Prolonged intubation may cause temporary hoarseness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006

Hoarseness: Medical causes
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))

Gastroesophageal reflux

In this disorder, retrograde flow of gastric juices into the esophagus may then spill into the hypopharynx. This, in turn, irritates the larynx, resulting in hoarseness as well as a sore throat, a cough, throat clearing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. The arytenoids and the vocal cords may appear red and swollen.

Hypothyroidism

Hoarseness may be an early sign of hypothyroidism. Others include fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain despite anorexia, and menorrhagia.

Laryngeal cancer

Hoarseness is an early sign of vocal cord cancer, but it may not occur until later in cancer of other laryngeal areas. The patient usually has a long history of smoking. Other common findings include a mild, dry cough; minor throat discomfort; otalgia; and, sometimes, hemoptysis.

Laryngeal leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a common cause of hoarseness, especially in smokers. Histologic examination by direct laryngoscopy usually reveals mild, moderate, or severe dysphagia.

Laryngitis

Persistent hoarseness may be the only sign of chronic laryngitis. In acute laryngitis, hoarseness or a complete loss of voice develops suddenly. Related findings include pain (especially during swallowing or speaking), a cough, fever, profuse diaphoresis, sore throat, and rhinorrhea.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Hoarseness may signal laryngeal involvement. Other findings include pain, dysphagia, a sensation of fullness or tension in the throat, dyspnea on exertion, and stridor.

Sjögren’s syndrome

This rheumatic disorder produces hoarseness, but its cardinal signs are dry eyes, nose, and mouth. Initially, the patient complains of gritty, burning pain around the eyes and under the lids. Ocular dryness also leads to redness, photosensitivity, impaired vision, itching, and eye fatigue. Examination reveals enlarged lacrimal glands and corneal ulcers.

The patient may complain of a dry, sore mouth and difficulty chewing, talking, or swallowing. He may also exhibit nasal crusting, epistaxis, enlarged parotid and submaxillary glands, dry and scaly skin, a nonproductive cough, abdominal discomfort, and polyuria.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Depending on the size and exact location of the aneurysm, patients may remain asymptomatic. When the aneurysm exerts pressure on surrounding structures, however, patients may experience a variety of symptoms. Hoarseness occurs when the aneurysm compresses nerves associated with the larynx. Other clinical features may include a brassy cough; dyspnea; wheezing; a substernal aching in the shoulders, lower back, or abdomen; a tracheal tug; facial and neck edema; jugular vein distention; dysphagia; prominent chest veins; stridor; penetrating pain that’s especially severe when the patient is supine; and, possibly, paresthesia or neuralgia.

Tracheal trauma

Torn tracheal mucosa may cause hoarseness, hemoptysis, dysphagia, neck pain, airway occlusion, and respiratory distress.

Vocal cord nodules or polyps

Raspy hoarseness, the chief complaint, accompanies a chronic cough and a crackling voice.

Vocal cord paralysis

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis causes hoarseness and vocal weakness. Paralysis may accompany signs of trauma, such as pain and swelling of the head and neck.

Other causes

Inhalation injury

An inhalation injury from a fire or an explosion produces hoarseness and coughing, singed nasal hairs, orofacial burns, and soot-stained sputum. Subsequent signs and symptoms include crackles, rhonchi, and wheezing, which rapidly lead  to respiratory distress.

Treatments

Occasionally, surgical trauma to the recurrent laryngeal nerve results in temporary or permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis, leading to hoarseness. Prolonged intubation may cause temporary hoarseness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006

Hoarseness: Differential Overview
(Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis)

Acute

❑ Acute laryngitis

❑ Vocal overuse

❑ Vocal cord trauma

❑ Angioedema

❑ Epiglottitis

Chronic

❑ Smoking

❑ Recurrent vocal abuse

❑ Gastroesophageal reflux

❑ Vocal cord polyp

❑ Vocal cord nodule

❑ Laryngeal nerve injury

❑ Hypothyroidism

❑ Laryngeal carcinoma

❑ Conversion reaction

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis, 2007

Pupillary changes: Medical causes
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)

Adie’s syndrome

Adie’s syndrome produces an abrupt onset of unilateral mydriasis along with a sluggish or nonreactive pupillary response. It may also produce blurred vision and cramplike eye pain. Eventually, both eyes may be affected. Musculoskeletal assessment reveals hypoactive or absent deep tendon reflexes (DTRs) in the arms and legs.

Botulism

Bilateral mydriasis and nonreactive pupils usually appear 12 to 36 hours after ingestion of tainted food. Other early findings include blurred vision, diplopia, ptosis, strabismus, and extraocular muscle palsies, along with anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and dry mouth. Vertigo, deafness, hoarseness, nasal voice, dysarthria, and dysphagia follow. Progressive muscle weakness and absent DTRs usually evolve over 2 to 4 days, resulting in severe constipation and paralysis of respiratory muscles with respiratory distress.

Diabetic neuropathy

A patient with long-standing diabetes mellitus may have a sluggish pupillary response. Additional findings include orthostatic hypotension, syncope, dysphagia, episodic constipation or diarrhea, painless bladder distention with overflow incontinence, retrograde ejaculation, and impotence.

Encephalitis

As encephalitis progresses, initially sluggish pupils become dilated and nonreactive. Decreased accommodation and other symptoms of cranial nerve palsies, such as dysphagia, develop. Within 48 hours after onset, encephalitis causes a decreased level of consciousness, high fever, headache, vomiting, and nuchal rigidity. Aphasia, ataxia, nystagmus, hemiparesis, and photophobia may occur with seizures.

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy

Familial amyloid polyneuropathy produces sluggish or nonreactive pupils and miosis. Corneal opacities may affect visual acuity. The patient may also experience anhidrosis, orthostatic hypotension, alternating diarrhea and constipation, and impotence. Initially, he’ll experience paresthesia and possibly pain in the feet and lower legs; later, absent DTRs and thinning legs will develop.

Glaucoma (acute angle-closure)

An ophthalmic emergency, examination reveals a moderately dilated, nonreactive pupil in the affected eye. Conjunctival injection, corneal clouding, and decreased visual acuity also occur. The patient experiences a sudden onset of blurred vision, followed by excruciating pain in and around the affected eye. He commonly reports seeing halos around white lights at night. Severely elevated IOP commonly induces nausea and vomiting.

Herpes zoster

The patient with herpes zoster affecting the nasociliary nerve may have a sluggish pupillary response. Examination of the conjunctiva reveals follicles. Additional ocular findings include a serous discharge, absence of tears, ptosis, and extraocular muscle palsy.

Iris disease (degenerative or inflammatory)

Iris disease causes pupillary nonreactivity in the affected eyes. Visual acuity may also decrease.

Midbrain lesions

Although rare, midbrain lesions produce bilateral midposition nonreactivepupils.Other findings include loss of upward gaze, coma, central neurogenic hyperventilation, bradycardia, hemiparesis or hemiplegia, and decorticate or decerebrate posture.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

MS may produce small, irregularly shaped pupils that react better to accommodation than to light. Additional ocular findings may include ptosis, nystagmus, diplopia, and blurred vision. In most cases, vision problems and sensory impairment, such as paresthesia, are the earliest indications along with weakness, numbness, tingling, and unsteadiness. Features that may occur later include intention tremor, spasticity, hyperreflexia, and gait ataxia as well as muscle weakness and paralysis, dysphagia and dysarthria, constipation, and urinary urgency, frequency, and incontinence. The patient may also develop impotence and emotional instability.

Ocular trauma

Severe damage to the iris or optic nerve may produce a nonreactive, dilated pupil in the affected eye (traumatic iridoplegia). This sign is usually transitory but can be permanent. Slit-lamp examination commonly reveals a V-shaped notch in the pupillary rim, indicating a tear in the iris sphincter muscle. The patient usually experiences eye pain and may also develop eye edema and ecchymoses.

Oculomotor nerve palsy

The first signs of this oculomotor ophthalmoplegia commonly include a dilated, nonreactive pupil and loss of the accommodation reaction. These findings may occur in one eye or both, depending on whether the palsy is unilateral or bilateral. Among the causes of total third cranial nerve palsy is life-threatening brain herniation. Central herniation causes bilateral midposition nonreactive pupils, whereas uncal herniation initially causes a unilateral dilated, nonreactive pupil. Other common findings include diplopia, ptosis, outward deviation of the eye, and inability to elevate or adduct the eye. Additional findings depend on the underlying cause of the palsy.

Tertiary syphilis

A sluggish pupillary reaction (especially in Argyll Robertson pupils) occurs in the late stage of neurosyphilis, along with marked weakness of the extraocular muscles, visual field defects and, possibly, cataractous changes in the lens. The patient may complain of orbital rim pain that worsens at night. He may also exhibit lid edema, decreased visual acuity, and exophthalmos. Tertiary lesions appear on the skin and mucous membranes. Liver, respiratory, cardiovascular, and additional neurologic dysfunction may also occur.

Uveitis

A small, nonreactive pupil that appears suddenly with severe eye pain, conjunctival injection, diminished vision, and photophobia typifies anterior uveitis. With posterior uveitis, similar features develop insidiously, along with blurred vision and a distorted pupil shape.

Wernicke’s disease

Initially, Wernicke’s disease produces an intention tremor accompanied by a sluggish pupillary reaction. Later, pupils may become nonreactive. Additional ocular findings include diplopia, gaze paralysis, nystagmus, ptosis, decreased visual acuity, and conjunctival injection. The patient may also exhibit orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, ataxia, apathy, and confusion.

Other causes

Drugs

Instillation of a topical mydriatic and a cycloplegic may induce a temporarily nonreactive pupil in the affected eye. Opiates, such as heroin and morphine, cause pinpoint pupils with a minimal light response that can be seen only with a magnifying glass. And atropine poisoning produces widely dilated, nonreactive pupils.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007

Hoarseness: Medical causes
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)

Gastroesophageal reflux

Irritation of the larynx by reflux of gastric juices may result in hoarseness as well as sore throat, cough, throat clearing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. The arytenoid tissue and the vocal cords may appear red and swollen.

Hypothyroidism

Hoarseness may be an early sign of hypothyroidism. Other signs and symptoms include fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain despite anorexia, and menorrhagia. Assessment may also reveal coarse hair and alopecia as well as dry, flaky skin and thinning nails.

Laryngeal cancer

Hoarseness is an early sign of vocal cord cancer but may not occur until later in cancer of other laryngeal areas. The patient usually has a long history of smoking. Other common findings include a mild, dry cough; minor throat discomfort; otalgia; and, sometimes, hemoptysis.

Laryngeal leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is a common cause of hoarseness, especially in smokers. Histologic examination from direct laryngoscopy usually reveals mild, moderate, or severe dysphagia.

Laryngitis

Persistent hoarseness may be the only sign of chronic laryngitis. With acute laryngitis, hoarseness or a complete loss of voice develops suddenly. Related findings include pain (especially during swallowing or speaking), cough, fever, profuse diaphoresis, sore throat, and rhinorrhea.

Tracheal trauma

Torn tracheal mucosa may cause hoarseness, hemoptysis, dysphagia, neck pain, airway occlusion, and respiratory distress. The patient with tracheal trauma may also have manifestations of cervical spine injuries.

Vocal cord paralysis

Unilateral vocal cord paralysis causes hoarseness and vocal weakness. Paralysis may accompany signs of trauma, such as pain and swelling of the head and neck. The patient may also experience dysphagia.

Vocal cord polyps or nodules

Raspy hoarseness, the chief complaint, accompanies a chronic cough and a crackling voice. Typically, this condition is painless.

Other causes

Inhalation injury

Inhalation injury from a fire or explosion produces hoarseness and coughing, singed nasal hairs, orofacial burns, and soot-stained sputum. Subsequent signs and symptoms include crackles, rhonchi, and wheezing, which rapidly deteriorate to respiratory distress.

Treatments

Occasionally, surgical trauma to the laryngeal nerve results in temporary or permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis, leading to hoarseness. Prolonged intubation may cause temporary hoarseness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007

Hoarseness: Principal Causes of Hoarseness
(The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics)

  1. Congenitalanomalies of the larynx
    1. Laryngomalacia
    2. Laryngeal web, cyst, or cleft
    3. Laryngocele
  2. Infection/inflammation
    1. Laryngitis
    2. Croup
    3. Supraglottitis
  3. Allergic disorders
  4. Trauma
    1. Vocal abuse
    2. Intubation
    3. Caustic substances and burns
    4. Blunt neck trauma
    5. Airway suctioning and passing of feedingtubes
    6. Foreign body
  5. Vocal cord paralysis
  6. Gastroesophageal reflux
  7. Neoplasm

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics, 2006

Hoarseness: Medical causes
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)

Gastroesophageal reflux.With gastroesophageal reflux, retrograde flow of gastric juices into the esophagus may then spill into the hypopharynx. This, in turn, irritates the larynx, resulting in hoarseness as well as a sore throat, a cough, throat clearing, and a sensation of a lump in the throat. The arytenoids and the vocal cords may appear red and swollen.

Hypothyroidism.With hypothyroidism, hoarseness may be an early sign. Others include fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain despite anorexia, and menorrhagia.

Laryngeal cancer.Hoarseness is an early sign of vocal cord cancer, but may not occur until later in cancer of other laryngeal areas. The patient usually has a long history of smoking. Other common findings include a mild, dry cough; minor throat discomfort; otalgia; and, sometimes, hemoptysis.

Laryngeal leukoplakia.Leukoplakia is a common cause of hoarseness, especially in smokers. Histologic examination from direct laryngoscopy usually reveals mild, moderate, or severe dysphagia.

Laryngitis.Persistent hoarseness may be the only sign of chronic laryngitis. With acute laryngitis, hoarseness or a complete loss of voice develops suddenly. Related findings include pain (especially during swallowing or speaking), a cough, a fever, profuse diaphoresis, a sore throat, and rhinorrhea.

Rheumatoid arthritis.Hoarseness may signal laryngeal involvement in reumatoid arthritis. Other findings include pain, dysphagia, a sensation of fullness or tension in the throat, dyspnea on exertion, and stridor.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm.Thoracic aortic aneurysm typically produces no symptoms, but may cause hoarseness. Its most common symptom is penetrating pain that's especially severe when the patient is supine. Other clinical features include a brassy cough; dyspnea; wheezing; a substernal aching in the shoulders, lower back, or abdomen; a tracheal tug; facial and neck edema; jugular vein distention; dysphagia; prominent chest veins; stridor; and, possibly, paresthesia or neuralgia.

Tracheal trauma.Torn tracheal mucosa may cause hoarseness, hemoptysis, dysphagia, neck pain, airway occlusion, and respiratory distress.

Vocal cord paralysis.Unilateral vocal cord paralysis causes hoarseness and vocal weakness. Paralysis may accompany signs of trauma, such as pain and swelling of the head and neck.

Vocal cord polyps or nodules.Raspy hoarseness, the chief complaint, accompanies a chronic cough and a crackling voice.

Other causes

Inhalation injury.Inhalation injury from a fire or explosion produces hoarseness and coughing, singed nasal hairs, orofacial burns, and soot-stained sputum. Subsequent signs and symptoms include crackles, rhonchi, and wheezing, which rapidly deteriorate to respiratory distress.

Treatments.Occasionally, surgical trauma to the recurrent laryngeal nerve results in temporary or permanent unilateral vocal cord paralysis, leading to hoarseness. Prolonged intubation may cause temporary hoarseness.

» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »

Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007


 » Next page: Risk Factors for Hoarseness

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