title: Bilateral vocal fold immobility in a patient with overlap syndrome rheumatoid arthritis/systemic sclerosis.
abstract: Bilateral vocal fold immobility (BVFI) can be the result of a primary disorder or as an iatrogenic complication of surgery or intubation. Laryngeal involvement can be a rare complication of connective tissue disorders and it usually occurs in association with other symptoms and signs that indicate active disease. We present a case of BVFI in a patient with an overlap syndrome rheumatoid arthritis/systemic sclerosis, referred to our division because of dysphonia and dyspnea. The video-laryngostroboscopy showed the presence of BVFI. Physical examination, blood tests, lung and neck high resolution computed tomography scans did not demonstrate significant abnormalities. She was treated with pulses of intravenous methylprednisolone with slow improvement.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, University of Milan, Istituto Gaetano Pini, Piazza Cardinal Ferrari, 20122 Milan, Italy. francesca.ingegnoli@unimi.it
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ingegnoli
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Galbiati
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bacciu
authors.forename: Silvana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeni
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Fantini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003240:Connective Tissue Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000473:pathology*; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D008775:Methylprednisolone