Multiple system atrophy and stridor: a clinical case report

Abstract

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the extrapyramidal pathway, the cerebellum, and the autonomic system. Its diagnosis is clinical and is supported by neuroimaging studies. The available treatments do not alter the course of the disease but do allow symptoms to be managed and quality of life to be improved. Among its clinical manifestations is laryngeal stridor, which is usually secondary to bilateral vocal cord paralysis or dystonia and whose early appearance is associated with lower survival. The case of a patient with stridor associated with MSA is presented, the importance of which lies in the fact that despite being a rare cause of chordal paralysis, a high index of suspicion must be had to carry out an adequate diagnostic process and thus offer therapeutic alternatives that allow to improve both the quality of life and the survival of these patients.