Abstract
This report describes the case of a 69-year-old male with idiopathic associated laryngeal paralyses (IALP) that presented with acute dysphagia, which was thought to be caused by reactivation of varicella-zoster virus. He felt an abnormal sensation in his throat six days earlier, but a physician did not find any abnormal signs. However, his symptoms became worse when he experienced dysphagia and hoarseness, and was referred to this clinic. An examination showed paralysis of the left vocal cord with saliva pooling in the hypopharynx. He also showed incomplete elevation of the left soft palate and hypesthesia of the left pharynx. No skin rash was observed. Imaging and endoscopic studies did not reveal any causes of his paralyses in the throat, which was diagnosed as IALP. Steroid therapy was initiated and it led to the complete recovery of the paralyses. An elevation of VZV antibody was noted in the course of the recovery. This finding suggested that his paralyses may have been caused by the reactivation of VZV.
