Rheumatoid arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joints: A case of laryngeal obstruction due to acute and chronic joint changes

Abstract

A 63-year-old female with severe rheumatoid arthritis and respiratory obstruction with stridor due to cricoarytenoid (c.a.) arthritis is described. Low voltage radiography of the neck revealed erosive changes in the c.a. joints. At laryngoscopy the arytenoids were fixed in adduction, and there were signs of active arthritis. Corticosteroid therapy was instituted with remarkable effect on the obstruction. After the active arthritis had subsided, there remained limited arytenoid mobility with a glottic chink of about 5 mm, but no laryngeal symptoms.