Laryngological presentation of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Background: Not many data concerning the laryngological evaluation of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients exist.

Objective: The profile of laryngological disturbances in patients with ALS was evaluated.

Methods: We have studied 25 ALS patients (10 with bulbar signs and 15 with limb signs only) in the standard laryngological examination. Vocal folds motion was examined fiberoscopically.

Results: In bulbar onset ALS cases we have showed different changes of the uni- or bilateral position of the vocal folds. In 9 out of 15 ALS patients with limb signs (without clinical bulbar signs) we also have discovered the slight disturbance of vocal folds movement or unilateral decrease of tension and mobility.

Conclusions: The careful laryngological examination can shows the subtle, objective signs of the early dysfunction of vagus nerves in ALS patients before the clinical presentation of bulbar failure.