Bilateral Vocal Cord Palsy with Arnold Chiari Malformation: A Rare Case Series

Stridor in paediatric age group is not an uncommon presentation to the ENT emergency. The range of differential diagnosis is vast. The presentation may vary from noisy breathing to severe respiratory distress and apnea. Early and meticulous diagnosis is crucial for the management as the condition may be life threatening. We report a rare case series of 3 infants with Arnold Chiari Malformation who presented to the hospital with stridor and were diagnosed with bilateral vocal cord palsy. These 3 infants had similar underlying neurological condition with hydrocephalus and raised intracranial pressure. Chiari malformation is the one of the most common congenital central nervous system anomaly associated with bilateral vocal cord paralysis. However, the presentation is rare. This article, thus, emphasizes the significance of early diagnosis and immediate management of this condition.