Ortners syndrome

Original Editor - Ravi Kumar

Top Contributors - Ravi Kumar and Kim Jackson  

Introduction

Ortner's syndrome, also known as cardiovocal syndrome, is a rare condition that causes hoarseness of voice due to compression or traction of the left recurrent laryngeal nerve by a cardiovascular disorder. The left recurrent laryngeal nerve is a branch of the vagus nerve that passes under the aortic arch and ascends to the larynx. It can be affected by various congenital or acquired diseases that enlarge or distort the structures near the nerve, such as the left atrium, the pulmonary artery, or the aorta. The most common historical cause of Ortner's syndrome is mitral stenosis, which leads to left atrial enlargement and pulmonary hypertension. However, other causes such as atrial septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, thoracic aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, and pulmonary embolism have been reported. Ortner's syndrome can be diagnosed by clinical history, physical examination, laryngoscopy, and imaging studies such as chest X-ray, echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance imaging. The treatment of Ortner's syndrome depends on the underlying cause and may include medical therapy, surgical intervention, or endovascular procedures. The prognosis of Ortner's syndrome varies depending on the severity and reversibility of the nerve injury and the cardiovascular condition.

Ortner's syndrome was first described by Norbert Ortner, an Austrian physician, in 1897.

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