Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2011 Mar;54(3):235-238. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.3.235.

A Case of Bilateral Vocal Cord Paralysis in a Patient with Rheumatoid Arthritis

• Lee EJ
• Joo YH
• Kim JP
• Woo SH

• KMID: 2277224
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2011.54.3.235

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane and causing joint damage and bone destruction. The symptoms of cricoarytenoid joint (CJ) arthritis often include hoarseness, and a sense of pharyngeal fullness in the throat. Sometimes, in cases with bilateral CJ involvement, an urgent tracheostomy might be required for acute airway obstruction. In this report, we describe a 45-years-old man suffering from voice change and aspiration due to hampered adduction of the vocal fold that was caused by RA with bilateral CJ involvement. The medication treatment for RA was carried out and the patient retrieved her normal voice after one month.

Keyword

Vocal cord paralysis; Arthritis; Rheumatoid; Arytenoid cartilage

MeSH Terms

Airway Obstruction
Arthritis
Arthritis, Rheumatoid
Arytenoid Cartilage
Hoarseness
Humans
Joints
Pharynx
Stress, Psychological
Synovial Membrane
Tracheostomy
Vocal Cord Paralysis
Vocal Cords
Voice