Cricoarytenoiditis in rheumatoid arthritis: Radiologic and clinical study

Bayar N., Kara S., Keles I., Koc C., Altinok D., Orkun S.

JOURNAL OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY, vol.32, no.6, pp.373-378, 2003 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2003
  • Doi Number: 10.2310/7070.2003.13910
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF OTOLARYNGOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
  • Page Numbers: pp.373-378
  • Keywords: cricoarytenoid joint, high-resolution computed tomography, rheumatoid arthritis, JOINTS, INVOLVEMENT
  • Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The cricoarytenoid (CA) joint involvement in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is not uncommon. In this study, clinical assessment, laryngeal endoscopy, and high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) were used in 15 patients with RA to evaluate the diagnostic criteria of CA joint involvement. Symptoms owing to CA joint involvement were present in 66.6% of the patients. The frequency of involvement was 13.3% on laryngeal endoscopy but 80.0% with HRCT assessment. The most common HRCT findings were CA prominence (46.6%), density and volume changes (46.6%), and CA subluxation (39.9%). In some of the patients, soft tissue swelling (20%) near the CA joint and narrowing in the piriform sinus (33.3%) were also observed. Radiologic abnormalities related to CA joint involvement generally precede clinical symptomatology. Therefore, HRCT evaluation may be a useful method in the assessment of CA joint involvement in RA patients to exclude possible causes of laryngeal signs and symptoms.