For the sake of completeness a potentially lethal disorder such as pulmonary embolism1 should be included in the differential diagnosis of the cardiovocal syndrome spelt out by the authors.2 The association of hoarseness and sore throat was the presenting feature in a 19 year old non-smoker who subsequently experienced sudden breathlessness associated with cardiorespiratory arrest. She died despite attempts at resuscitation. Autopsy revealed compression of the recurrent laryngeal nerve by a large thrombus situated in the outflow tract of the pulmonary artery as well as main right and left pulmonary arteries.