| Laryngitis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Endoscopic image of an inflamed larynx caused by acid reflux | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Otorhinolaryngology |
| Symptoms | Hoarse voice, fever, pain[1][2] |
| Duration | Usually less than 2 weeks[1] |
| Causes | Viral, trauma, bacterial[1] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, examination via laryngoscopy if concerns[1] |
| Differential diagnosis | Epiglottitis, laryngeal cancer, croup[1] |
| Treatment | Voice rest, fluids[1] |
| Frequency | Common[1] |
Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx (voice box).[1] Symptoms often include a hoarse voice and may include fever, cough, pain in the front of the neck, and trouble swallowing.[1][2] Typically, these last under two weeks.[1]
Laryngitis is categorised as acute if it lasts less than three weeks and chronic if symptoms last more than three weeks.[1] Acute cases usually occur as part of a viral upper respiratory tract infection.[1] Other infections and trauma such as from coughing are other causes.[1] Chronic cases may occur due to smoking, tuberculosis, allergies, acid reflux, rheumatoid arthritis, or sarcoidosis.[1][3] The underlying mechanism involves irritation of the vocal cords.[2]
Concerning signs that may require further investigation include stridor, history of radiation therapy to the neck, trouble swallowing, duration of more than three weeks, and a history of smoking.[1] If concerning signs are present the vocal cords should be examined via laryngoscopy.[1] Other conditions that can produce similar symptoms include epiglottitis, croup, inhaling a foreign body, and laryngeal cancer.[1][4]
The acute form generally resolves without specific treatment.[1] Resting the voice and sufficient fluids may help.[1] Antibiotics generally do not appear to be useful in the acute form.[5] The acute form is common while the chronic form is not.[1] The chronic form occurs most often in middle age and is more common in men than women.[6]
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t Wood, John M.; Athanasiadis, Theodore; Allen, Jacqui (9 October 2014). "Laryngitis". BMJ. 349: g5827. doi:10.1136/bmj.g5827. ISSN 1756-1833. PMID 25300640. Archived from the original on 13 November 2016. Retrieved 21 November 2016.
- ^ a b c "Laryngitis - National Library of Medicine". PubMed Health. Archived from the original on 10 September 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
- ^ Dworkin, James Paul (April 2008). "Laryngitis: Types, Causes, and Treatments". Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 41 (2): 419–436. doi:10.1016/j.otc.2007.11.011. PMID 18328379.
- ^ Ferri, Fred F. (2016). Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2017: 5 Books in 1. Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 709. ISBN 9780323448383. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016.
- ^ Reveiz, L; Cardona, AF (23 May 2015). "Antibiotics for acute laryngitis in adults". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 5 (5): CD004783. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004783.pub5. PMC 6486127. PMID 26002823.
- ^ Dhingra, P. L.; Dhingra, Shruti (2014). Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat (6 ed.). Elsevier Health Sciences. p. 292. ISBN 9788131236932. Archived from the original on 10 November 2016.