Laryngitis

Case report:

In the practice is a 45 year old male patient, who for two days - starting with scratching and discomfort in the deep parts of the neck - notes an increasing hoarseness. In addition there are joint and muscle pain, headache, moderately elevated body temperature and a slight nonproductive cough and a midweight malaise. The physical examination no evidence of acute tonsillopharyngitis, bronchitis or pneumonia. Indirect laryngoscopy shows significantly reddened bilateral vocal cords without coverings. The neighboring pharyngale mucosa is significantly inflamed.

Etiology and diagnosis:

Acute laryngitis is caused by predominantly viral, bacterial rare infectious agents. But also must also thermal, allergy or chemical inhalation noxae, such as Tobacco smoke, are taken into account. Mostly the laryngitis is a partial manifestation of a descending catarrhal inflammation of the upper airways or it arises ascendant after a bronchitis. Special forms occur in tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, syphilis and diphtheria.

Therapy:

The mostly acute viral infection can not be treated with chemotherapy. A consistent vocal sparing, smoking ban or elimination of chemical and allergenic toxicants is necessary. Steam inhalations, anti-inflammatory action as well as physical indulgence are important components of the non-specific therapeutic measures. Careful control of the exclusion of a bacterial superinfection with development as a tracheobronchitis is necessary in these patients. If the hoarseness for more than three weeks in the sense of a chronic inflammation of the larynx, more intensive diagnosis must be made.