Preoperative vocal cord paralysis and its association with malignant thyroid disease and other pathological features

BACKGROUND: Vocal cord paralysis (VCP) is found in both benign and malignant thyroid disease. This study was performed to determine if the presence of preoperative VCP predicts malignancy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 1923 consecutive patients undergoing thyroid surgery. The incidence of preoperative VCP was recorded. Patient and nodule characteristics were correlated with final pathology. RESULTS: 1.3 % of our cohort was found to have preoperative VCP. Malignant pathology was discovered in 76 % of patients with preoperative VCP. Among these patients, 72 % had a left sided paralysis. 10.5 % of patients with preoperative VCP had perineural invasion (PNI) on final pathology, compared to 1.1 % of patients with normal VC function. CONCLUSION: Preoperative VCP appears to be a strong, though not an absolute, indicator of malignancy. Most VCP were on the left side. Assessing for preoperative VCP is crucial in all patients who need thyroid surgery, as even benign nodules can be accompanied by preoperative vocal cord paralysis.