Upper respiratory tract disease - Laryngitis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Inflammation of the larynx

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Normally due to an acute viral infection (upper RT)

Viral agents such as rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, adenovirus, and influenza are all potential aetiologic agents

Acute non-infectious laryngitis can be due to vocal trauma/abuse/misuse, allergy, gastroesophageal reflux disease, asthma, environmental pollution, smoking, inhalational injuries, or functional/conversion disorders.

GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

Question 3

Risk factors

Answer 3

Asthma (chemical irritation from inhaler use)

Question 4

Epidemiology

Answer 4

Can affect any age depending on cause

More common in adults aged 18-40

Question 5

Clinical presentation

Answer 5

Change in quality of voice, in later stages there may be a complete loss of voice (aphonia)

Discomfort and pain in the throat, particularly after talking

Dysphagia, odynophagia (if present, exercise caution - may hint at additional pathology)

Dry cough

General symptoms of dryness of throat, malaise, and fever

Frequent throat-clearing

Early voice fatigue or loss of vocal range

Question 6

Prognosis

Answer 6

As this is often a self-limiting condition, it carries a good prognosis. If the patient completes the recommended therapy, the prognosis for recovery to a premorbid level of phonation is excellent. If vocal maladaptations have occurred, a course of speech therapy can resolve these problems.

Question 7

DDX

Answer 7

Spasmodic dysphonia
Reflux laryngitis
Chronic allergic laryngitis
Epiglottitis
Neoplasm