What characteristic is seen in a patient with idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis?

In a patient with idiopathic unilateral vocal fold paralysis, hoarseness is a common characteristic due to the inability of the affected vocal fold to fully adduct or close during phonation. This incomplete closure leads to a breathy or hoarse vocal quality, as the airflow is not properly regulated, disrupting normal vocal fold vibration. This situation often arises because one vocal fold cannot move as it should, affecting the quality of sound produced.

In contrast, increased pitch generally suggests tense or spasmodic vocal fold movement, which is less likely in unilateral paralysis where the affected fold cannot participate effectively in sound production. A complete loss of voice might occur in cases of bilateral vocal fold paralysis, where both vocal folds are paralyzed, but it is less common in unilateral cases. Consistent breathlessness may be observed in individuals with other types of laryngeal compromise but is not a defining characteristic linked specifically to unilateral paralysis. Thus, hoarseness stands out as the primary characteristic associated with this condition.