1/5. Laryngeal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus.Laryngeal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can range from mild ulcerations, vocal cord paralysis, and edema to necrotizing vasculitis with airway obstruction. In this report, four cases showing the range of severity of this disease manifestation are presented, accompanied by a comprehensive review of the literature. The clinical course of 97 patients with laryngeal involvement with SLE are reviewed, of whom 28% had laryngeal edema and 11% had vocal cord paralysis. In the majority of cases, symptoms such as hoarseness, dyspnea, and vocal cord paralysis resolved with corticosteroid therapy. Other, less common causes of this entity included subglottic stenosis, rheumatoid nodules, inflammatory mass lesions, necrotizing vasculitis, and epiglottitis. The clinical presentation of laryngeal involvement in patients with SLE follows a highly variable course, ranging from an asymptomatic state to severe, life-threatening upper airway compromise. With its unpredictable course and multiple causations, this complication remains a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to physicians involved in the care of patients with SLE.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = hoarseness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Acute systemic reactions to carbonless copy paper associated with histamine release.We report two cases of recurrent episodes of hoarseness, cough, flushing, pruritus, and rash occurring within 30 minutes of topical exposure to carbonless copy paper. Provocative challenges revealed that alkylphenol novolac resin was the ingredient responsible. Video endoscopy of the larynx was performed and plasma histamine levels were obtained prior to and 30 minutes after cutaneous challenge of a patient with alkylphenol novolac resin. We documented marked laryngeal edema and a sixfold increase in plasma histamine levels after challenge. We conclude that topical exposure to carbonless copy paper may cause mast cell/basophil-mediated acute systemic and potentially life-threatening reactions in susceptible patients.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = hoarseness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. laryngeal edema as the only symptom of hypersensitivity to salicylic acid and other substances.Idiosyncrasy to salicylic acid and related substances is well known, the most common symptoms being asthma, rhinorrhea and urticaria. We here describe two cases whose only symptoms were hoarseness and in which inspection revealed laryngeal edema when the patients ingested any of these substances. In cases of chronic recurring hoarseness, a history should be taken with respect to such hypersensitivity and suspect cases should be challenged, since a strict diet may improve the symptoms.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 2keywords = hoarseness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Direct laryngoscopy with provocation: a useful method to distinguish acute laryngeal edema from nonorganic disease.BACKGROUND: Acute laryngeal edema is a manifestation of anaphylaxis, is frequently sudden in onset and requires immediate treatment to prevent further airway compromise. Nonorganic disease such as globus hystericus may present with symptoms similar to acute laryngeal edema. Distinguishing life-threatening acute laryngeal edema from non-life-threatening disease may be difficult. OBJECTIVE: We present a patient in which direct laryngoscopy was used to distinguish acute laryngeal edema from nonorganic disease. methods: A case report of a woman who had presented to numerous emergency rooms with symptoms of cough, sensation of throat closing, and hoarseness when exposed to odors such as nail polish remover and musk cologne. She was treated repeatedly with subcutaneous epinephrine, oral diphenhydramine and intravenous methylprednisolone. Her history was not classic for IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and we challenged her with nail polish remover while visualizing her vocal cords with direct laryngoscopy. RESULTS: Upon challenge with an offending agent, her symptoms were again suggestive of life-threatening laryngeal edema. Direct laryngoscopy, however, revealed no objective evidence of airway obstruction. CONCLUSION: Direct laryngoscopy with provocation is useful in distinguishing acute laryngeal edema from nonorganic disease.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = hoarseness (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Sudden onset aphonia caused by a Japanese-style bath.An 86-year-old man was referred by his family physician to our clinic because of sudden onset aphonia immediately after a Japanese-style bath. On examination, the only abnormality was aphonia, with an otherwise normal physical examination. However, we found vocal fold oedema on laryngeal fibrescopy. For treatment, he was immediately given 30 mg prednisolone intravenously. Twelve hours after injection the oedema had completely disappeared and his aphonia had resolved. The patient was healthy for three months after returning home. However, at the beginning of a cold winter night he again complained of sudden onset hoarseness, after taking a Japanese-style bath. Japanese-style baths are completely different from Western-style baths. There is a temperature difference of almost 30 degrees C between the inside and outside of a bath; the transition may represent a type of physical exercise in elderly and exhausted individuals. This difference could cause a cold or heat-induced allergic reaction. We strongly recommend a laryngeal study in case of sudden onset aphonia.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = hoarseness (Clic here for more details about this article) |