Repeated postoperative laryngeal obstruction due to bilateral cricoarytenoid joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis

Abstract

A 61-year-old woman with a 40-year history of severe rheumatoid arthritis developed postoperative laryngeal obstruction twice; the first episode occurred just after surgery for cervical myelopathy and the second episode occurred 3 weeks after surgery when physiotherapy activity increased. A flexible laryngeal endoscopy demonstrated that abduction of the bilateral vocal cords was severely disturbed at the paramedian position, suggesting a diagnosis of cricoarytenoid arthritis. Early administration of corticosteroids was successful.

Sudden Glottic Stenosis Caused by Cricoarytenoid Joint Involvement due to Rheumatoid Arthritis

“…While this is well known to otolaryngologists, the condition is not commonly encountered by general physicians (2). Promptly recognizing airway obstruction due to CAJ arthritis is essential for appropriate management.…”