Laryngitis

Question 1

What is laryngitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the larynx that may manifest in acute or chronic forms

Question 2

What is acute laryngitis?

Answer 2

Inflammation of the vocal fold mucosa and larynx for < 3 weeks

Question 3

What is chronic laryngitis?

Answer 3

inflammation of the vocal fold mucosa and larynx for > 3 weeks

Question 4

What are some causes of acute laryngitis?

Answer 4

Infection of nasopharynx (rhinovirus, adenovirus, influenza)
Bacterial infections ( H. influenzae, S. pneumoniae, S. aureus)
Vocal strain
Inhalation of airborne irritants

Question 5

What are some causes of chronic laryngitis?

Answer 5

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Smoking
Recurrent URTI

Question 6

What are the clinical features of laryngitis?

Answer 6

Hoarseness/loss of voice
Dry cough
Fever, dysphagia, and lymph node enlargement
Inspiratory stridor

Question 7

How is laryngitis diagnosed?

Answer 7

clinical history, examination findings, and laryngoscopy

Question 8

What is the treatment for laryngitis?

Answer 8

Paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief

Antibiotics (either phenoxymethylpenicillin or erythromycin) but not routinely indicated

Question 9

What are the indications for antibiotics in laryngitis?

Answer 9

systemic upset secondary to the acute sore throat
unilateral peritonsillitis
increased risk from acute infection (such as a child with diabetes mellitus or immunodeficiency)
patients with acute sore throat/acute pharyngitis/acute tonsillitis when 3 or more Centor criteria are present

Question 10

What is the Centor criteria?

Answer 10

Centor criteria are: score 1 point for each (maximum score of 4)
presence of tonsillar exudate
tender anterior cervical lymphadenopathy or lymphadenitis
history of fever
absence of cough