Laryngitis

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

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]

Signs and symptoms

The primary symptom of laryngitis is a hoarse voice.^[7]: 108 Because laryngitis can have various causes, other signs and symptoms may vary.^[8] They can include

• Dry or sore throat
• Coughing (both a causal factor and a symptom of laryngitis)
• Frequent throat clearing
• Increased saliva production
• Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
• Sensation of swelling in the area of the larynx (discomfort in the front of the neck)
• Globus pharyngeus (feeling like there is a lump in the throat)
• Cold or 
  flu-like symptoms
   (which, like a cough, may also be a causal factor for laryngitis)
• Swollen lymph nodes in the throat, chest, or face
• Fever
• General muscle pain (myalgia)
• Shortness of breath
  , predominantly in children

Voice quality

Aside from a hoarse-sounding voice, changes to pitch and volume may occur with laryngitis. Speakers may experience a lower or higher pitch than normal, depending on whether their vocal folds are swollen or stiff.^[1][9] They may also have breathier voices, as more air flows through the space between the vocal folds (the glottis), quieter volume^[10] and a reduced range.^[1]

Causes

Laryngitis can be infectious as well as noninfectious in origin. The resulting inflammation of the vocal folds results in a distortion of the sound produced there.

• Most acute cases of laryngitis are caused by viral infections,
  adenovirus, coronavirus, and RSV. In patients who have a compromised immune system, other viruses such as herpes and HIV may also be potential causes.^{[citation needed}
  ]

• This is another major cause of acute laryngitis, and may develop in conjunction with or due to a viral infection.
  M. tuberculosis. In developing countries, more unusual bacterial causes may occur, such as mycobacterial and syphilitic, though these may occur in developed nations as well.^[1]

• Laryngitis caused by fungal infection is common but not frequently diagnosed according to a review by BMJ and can account for up to 10% of acute laryngitis cases.[1] Patients with both functioning and impaired immune systems can develop fungal laryngitis, which may develop as a result of recent antibiotic or inhaled corticosteroids use.^[1] Certain strains of fungi that may cause laryngitis include; Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Candida (especially in immunocompromised persons), and Cryptococcus and Coccidioides.^{[citation needed]}

Trauma

• Often due to excessive use of the vocal folds such as excessive yelling, screaming, or singing. Though this often results in damage to the outer layers of the vocal folds, the subsequent healing may lead to changes in the physiology of the folds.
  endotracheal intubation), can also result in inflammation of the vocal cords.^[17]

• Findings are unclear as to whether asthma may cause symptoms commonly associated with laryngitis.[1] Some researchers have posited that allergic causes of laryngitis are often misdiagnosed as being the result of acid reflux.^[18]

Reflux

• One possible explanation of chronic laryngitis is that inflammation is caused by gastro-oesophageal reflux, which causes subsequent irritation of the vocal folds.^[19]

Autoimmune disorders

• Approximately between 30 and 75% of persons with rheumatoid arthritis report symptoms of laryngitis.^[1]
• Symptoms of laryngitis are present in only 0.5–5% of people that have sarcoidosis.^[1] According to a meta-analysis by Silva et al. (2007), this disease is often an uncommon cause of laryngeal symptoms and is frequently misdiagnosed as another voice disorder.^[20]

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of different forms of acute laryngitis

• Laryngitis following trauma: This form of laryngitis is usually identified by obtaining a case history providing information on previous phono traumatic experiences, internal trauma caused by recent procedures as well as any previous neck injuries.^[1][21]
• Acute viral laryngitis: This form of laryngitis is characterized by lower
  dyspnea, postnasal discharge, and congestion.^[1]
• Fungal laryngitis: A biopsy and culture of abnormal lesion may help confirm fungal laryngitis.^[1]

Visual diagnosis

The larynx itself will often show erythema (reddening) and edema (swelling). This can be seen with laryngoscopy or stroboscopy (method depends on the type of laryngitis).^[7]: 108 Stroboscopy may be relatively normal or may reveal asymmetry, aperiodicity, and reduced mucosal wave patterns.^[22]

Other features of the laryngeal tissues may include^{[citation needed]}

• Redness of the laryngeal tissues (acute)
• Dilated blood vessels (acute)
• Thick, yet dry laryngal tissue (chronic)
• Stiff vocal folds
• Sticky secretions between the vocal folds and nearby structures (the interarytenoid region)

Referral

Some signs and symptoms indicate the need for early referral.^[1] These include

• Difficulty swallowing
• Vocal stridor
• Ear pain
• Recent weight loss
• History of smoking
• Current or recent radiotherapy treatment (in the neck region)
• Recent neck surgery or surgery involving endotracheal tubing
• Person is a professional voice user (teacher, singer, actor, call center worker, and so on)

Differential diagnosis

• Acute epiglottitis: This is more likely in those with stridor, drooling, and painful or trouble swallowing.^[1]
• Spasmodic dysphonia^[22]
• Reflux laryngitis^[22]
• Chronic allergic laryngitis^[22]
• Neoplasm^[22]
• Croup: This presents with a barking cough, hoarseness of voice, and inspiratory stridor.^[21]

Treatment

Treatment is often supportive in nature, and depends on the severity and type of laryngitis (acute or chronic).^[1] General measures to relieve symptoms of laryngitis include behaviour modification, hydration and humidification.^[1]

Vocal hygiene (care of the voice) is very important to relieve symptoms of laryngitis. Vocal hygiene involves measures such as: resting the voice, drinking sufficient water, reducing caffeine and alcohol intake, stopping smoking and limiting throat clearing.^[1]

Acute laryngitis

In general, acute laryngitis treatment involves vocal hygiene, painkillers (analgesics), humidification, and antibiotics.^[1][5]

Viral

The suggested treatment for viral laryngitis involves vocal rest, pain medication, and mucolytics for frequent coughing.^[7] Home remedies such as tea and honey may also be helpful.^[1] Antibiotics are not used for treatment of viral laryngitis.^[1][23]

Bacterial

In severe cases of bacterial laryngitis, such as supraglottitis or epiglottitis, there is a higher risk of the airway becoming blocked.[7] An urgent referral should be made to manage the airway.^[1] Treatment may involve humidification, corticosteroids, intravenous antibiotics, and nebulised adrenaline.^[7]

Fungal

Fungal laryngitis can be treated with oral antifungal tablets and antifungal solutions.^[1][7] These are typically used for up to three weeks and treatment may need to be repeated if the fungal infection returns.^[7]

Trauma

Laryngitis caused by excessive use or misuse of the voice can be managed through vocal hygiene measures.^{[citation needed]}

Chronic laryngitis

Reflux

Laryngopharyngeal reflux treatment primarily involves behavioural management and medication.^[1][7] Behavioural management involves aspects such as

• Wearing loose clothing
• Eating smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoiding certain foods (e.g. caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods)^[7]

Anti-reflux medications may be prescribed for patients with signs of chronic laryngitis and hoarse voice.

When appropriate, anti-reflux surgery may benefit some individuals.[1]

Inflammatory

When treating allergic laryngitis, topical nasal steroids and immunotherapy have been found to be effective for allergic rhinitis.^[7] Antihistamines may also be helpful, but can create a dryness in the larynx.^[7] Inhaled steroids that are used for a long period can lead to problems with the larynx and voice.^[7]

Autoimmune

Mucous membrane pemphigoid may be managed with medication (cyclophosphamide and prednisolone).^[1]

Granulomatous

Acute laryngitis may persist, but will typically resolve on its own within two weeks.[1] Recovery is likely to be quick if the patient follows the treatment plan.^[25] In viral laryngitis, symptoms can persist for an extended period, even when upper respiratory tract inflammation has been resolved.^[23]

Chronic

Laryngitis that continues for more than three weeks is considered chronic.^[1] If laryngeal symptoms last for more than three weeks, a referral should be made for further examination, including direct laryngoscopy.^[1] The prognosis for chronic laryngitis varies depending on the cause of the laryngitis.^[25]

References

External links

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Laryngitis".

• Laryngitis at
  Curlie
• Mayo Clinic