Left vocal cord paralysis revealing chronic mediastino-pulmonary silicosis: a case report

Silicosis is one of the most common occupational lung diseases, resulting from prolonged inhalation of crystalline silica dust. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with a history of silica exposure who presented with hoarseness due to left vocal cord paralysis. Imaging revealed calcified mediastinal lymphadenopathy compressing the left recurrent laryngeal nerve, leading to the diagnosis of chronic mediastino-pulmonary silicosis. This rare presentation highlights the need to consider silicosis as a differential diagnosis in cases of unexplained vocal cord paralysis, especially in individuals with occupational exposure to silica.