Assessment of laryngeal affection in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis [RA] is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the synovial membrane, which causes joint damage and bone destruction. The crico arytenoid joint is a true diarthroidial synovial joint that can be affected by RA. In this study, disease activity, clinical assessment of the larynx, fiberoptic nasolaryngoscopy and Multi-Slides Computed Tomography [MSCT] were done to 20 RA patients in order to define the laryngeal involvement in rheumatoid arthritis patients. 14 of the 20 patients [70%] had laryngeal symptoms related to CA arthritis. Laryngeal endoscopy showed abnormalities in 9 of 20 patients [45%]. 5 of the 20 patients [25%], had abnormal radiologic findings related to CA arthritis. Laryngeal symptoms attributable to laryngeal involvement could be predictive of abnormal endoscopic and radiologic findings. Laryngeal involvement in RA could be attributed to the current disease activity and are more frequent with longer disease duration

Steroid injection versus conventional aspiration technique for treatment of Reinke's edema: perceptual and quantitative voice assessment

In this study we evaluate compare steroid injection technique with conventional aspiration technique for treatment of mild and moderate cases of Reink's edema, according to the changes of the subjective and quantitative voice characteristics. Subjects and 16 patients [divided in two-age and gender matched-equal groups] underwent microlaryngo-surgery under general anesthesia. Triamcinolone acetonide was injected into Reinke's space in group, while conventional aspiration technique was performed in group II. All the patients were evaluated by auditory perceptual assessment [APA], fiber optic and octopi examination, and quantitative vocal parameters using the Visipitch and compared to normal-age and gender matched-control group. Both therapeutic approaches were effective in improving vocal dysfunction due to Reinke's edema, with better vocal quality obtained, perceptually and quantitatively, by using the conventional aspiration technique. However, steroid injection may represent a cure for mild Reinke's edema if patients cease smoking and modify the use their voice