Which of the following is life threatening?: (A) U/L abductor paralysis, (B) B/L abductor paralysis, (C) U/L adductor paralysis, (D) B/L adductor paralysis
Answer is B. In bilateral abductor paralysis (due to B/L recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy), both the cords assume a median position due to unopposed action of cricothyroid muscle. The airway is inadequate in this condition, causing dyspnea. The condition can be life threatening.