Laryngeal Paralysis Recovered Two Years after a Head Trauma by Growth Hormone Treatment and Neurorehabilitation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the cognitive and speech results obtained after growth hormone (GH) treatment and neurorehabilitation in a man who suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Seventeen months after the accident, the patient was treated with growth hormone (GH), together with neurostimulation and speech therapy. At admission, the flexible laryngoscopy revealed that the left vocal cord was paralyzed, in the paramedian position, a situation compatible with a recurrent nerve injury. Clinical and rehabilitation assessments revealed a prompt improvement in speech and cognitive functions and, following completion of treatment, endoscopic examination showed recovery of vocal cord mobility. These results, together with previous results from our group, indicate that GH treatment is safe and effective for helping neurorehabilitation in chronic speech impairment due to central laryngeal paralysis, as well as impaired cognitive functions.

Keywords

• growth hormone
• recurrent nerve injury
• speech therapy
• neurostimulation
• vocal cord paralysis