Ortner's syndrome

Overview
Ortner's syndrome is a rare cardiovocal syndrome and refers to recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy from cardiovascular disease. It was first described by N. Ortner, an Austrian physician, in 1897.

The most common historical cause is a dilated left atrium due to mitral stenosis, but other causes, including pulmonary hypertension, thoracic aortic aneurysms and aberrant subclavian artery syndrome have been reported.

Dysphagia caused by a similar mechanism is referred to as dysphagia aortica, or, in the case of subclavian artery aberrancy, as dysphagia lusoria.

A second Ortner's syndrome, Ortner's syndrome II, refers to abdominal angina.