Vocal cord paralysis caused by a cyst in extraglandular thyroid tissue. Case report.

A 37-year-old woman presented with hoarseness two days after developing pain while undergoing physiotherapy for tension in her neck. Computed tomography showed a probably benign mass near to the left lobe of the thyroid, which was found at operation to be attached to the recurrent laryngeal nerve. The nerve was dissected free, the tumour removed, and the patient and her voice recovered fully. Histological examination confirmed a benign cyst in extraglandular thyroid tissue and the patient is well two years later.