Laryngeal Manifestations of Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome

Postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) is a disease that may occur in survivors of acute poliomyelitis several decades after their initial infection. It can present as dysphonia, with vocal weakness and fatigue. Swallowing, respiratory, and other laryngopharyngeal symptoms may be manifestations of the disease or they may represent worsening of previously stable and compensated deficits. Three cases of laryngeal changes in PPS with videostroboscopic and laryngeal electromyography findings highlight the features of this disorder. We review possible etiologies of laryngeal PPS, diagnostic criteria, and treatment, as well as the current literature.