CASE REPORT - Cricoarytenoid RA: An important consideration in aggressive lesions of the larynx

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American Journal of Neuroradiology 26:970-972, April 2005

© 2005 American Society of Neuroradiology

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Case Report

HEAD AND NECK

Cricoarytenoid Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Important Consideration in

Aggressive Lesions of the Larynx

ph J. Chena, Barton F. Branstetter, IVa,b and Eugene N. Myersa,b

a Department of Radiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

b Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA

Address correspondence to Barton F. Branstetter IV, MD, 200 Lothrop Street,

University of Pittsburgh Hospital, Room D132, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Summary: The most frequent cause of an aggressive mass in the larynx is

squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Rheumatoid arthritis is known to affect the

larynx but does not usually produce an aggressive mass. We present a case of

rheumatoid arthritis in a 63-year-old woman who presented with acute upper

airway obstruction. On CT scans, an erosive mass on the right cricoid

cartilage with significant destruction of the surrounding structures was

presumed to be an aggressive SCC. Surgical biopsies revealed rheumatoid

arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joint. When a patient with rheumatoid

arthritis presents with a mass in the larynx, cricoarytenoid rheumatoid

arthritis should be ruled out even in the face of an aggressive lesion

appearance at CT.

http://www.ajnr.org/cgi/content/abstract/26/4/970

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