Laryngeal Dysfunction Flashcards
What is a red flag symptom associated with the larynx?
Hoarseness of voice for >3 weeks
Give five possible laryngeal disorders which could cause >3 week hoarseness of voice
- Infection (laryngitis) – viral, streptococcal, other
- Over use of voice
- GORD – gastro oesophageal reflux disease
- Benign nodules on vocal cords, (eg singers)
- Carcinoma larynx
Give a neuromuscular explanation for hoarseness of voice
• Weakness / paralysis of intrinsic laryngeal muscles
( RLN palsy; external laryngeal nerve palsy)
What is the signigicance of the long course of the recurrent laryngeal nerve?
Disorders in the neck and chest can cause Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Palsy
Give six possible cuases of chest recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy?
- Thyroid surgery
- Thyroid disease (benign or malignant)
- Cervical LN – malignant deposits
- Apical lung cancer
- oesophageal cancer
- Aortic aneurysm, (left RLN
What technique can be used to view the larynx
Laryngoscopy
Give two types of laryngoscopy
Indirect laryngoscopy
Flexible rhinolaryngoscopy
Give two possible type of RLN palsy
Unilateral
Bilateral
What would a unilateral nerve palsy look like?
Position of affected vocal cord is paramedian (adductors and abductors weak)
What happens in a bilateral RLN?
Both vocal cords in a paramedian position
Glottis only partially open -> Breathing difficult and stridor
Give three types of laryngeal carcinoma
Supraglottic
Vocal cord carcinoma
Subglottic
Why does vocal cord carcinoma have a good prognosis?
Early symptoms
Seen easily
Delayed spread
Give three causes of laryngeal obstruction
Laryngeal oedema
Inhalation of foreign body
Tumours
Where does an emergency cricothyroidotomy go through?
Median cricothyroid ligament
