[Familial recurrent laryngeal nerve paralysis, a genetically fixed syndrome -- additional remark on linkage of deficiency gene and HLA (author's transl)].

Hereditary laryngeal paralysis has been rarely reported. Some authors describe additional neurological signs in connection with the cranial nerve, or mental retardation. It has been assumed that there is a causal connection with genetic deficiency. Familial studies, presented with this article, showed abductor and adductor paralysis in the mother and in the son, aged 13, abductor paralysis in the daughters, who were 11 and 5 years old, respectively, and normal laryngeal function in the father and in one 10-year old daughter. There were no neurological signs or mental deficits in any member of the family. Genetic analysis of blood-group and HLA systems confirmed linkage of the HLA system and vocal cord disorder, as suggested by Mace et al. (5). Hence, further observations and investigations will be necessary to prove this statement.