My doctor and I are searching for information. What effect might a vagus nerve lesion have on the upper and/or lower airways and/or lungs, and where along the course of the nerve might the lesion be?
Thank you for your help,
Reply: ----------------------------
Vagal lesions in the neck anywhere from the base of skull to the collar bone can cause weakness or paralysis of the vocal cords. Vagal nerve lesions below this location would be unlikely to have any effect on the respiratory system. Weakness or paralysis of the vocal cords can cause hoarseness or stridorous breathing, but typically stridor require weakness or paralysis of both vocal cords. Branches from the vagus nerve on one side of the neck innervate the vocal cord on that same side.
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Steve Dankle, MD
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
Milwaukee, Wis
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