Acute upper airway obstruction in rheumatoid arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joints.
We have reported two cases of acute, life-threatening upper airway obstruction due to previously unrecognized rheumatoid arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joints with severe acute and chronic deformities of the larynx. Attempted endotracheal intubation with the rigid laryngoscope failed in each case, resulting in the need for emergency tracheostomy. We recommend the use of the fiberoptic bronchoscope for elective or emergency endotracheal intubations in patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis involving the cervical spine and the larynx.
Bamshad
M
M
Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Kansas City School of Medicine.
Rosa
U
U
Padda
G
G
Luce
M
M
D000208:Acute Disease; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007817:Laryngeal Cartilages / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D007829:Laryngostenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014139:Tracheostomy