title: Sudden glottic stenosis caused by cricoarytenoid joint involvement due to rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A woman with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) experienced glottic stenosis approximately two months after switching from etanercept to tocilizumab. Cricoarytenoid joint (CAJ) arthritis due to RA was diagnosed. An awake tracheostomy saved the relievable airway, and the administration of methylprednisolone and infliximab ameliorated the flare-up and glottic stenosis. A follow-up examination revealed the recovery of the patient's normal voice and good control of RA with infliximab and methotrexate. Although general physicians do not frequently encounter patients with symptomatic CAJ arthritis, this condition should be considered as it can be life-threatening. Therefore, when detected, it should be diagnosed and treated immediately.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Social Insurance Funabashi Central Hospital, Japan.
authors.forename: Koki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mitsuka
authors.forename: Akiyoshi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yamaoka
authors.forename: Keishi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Masaomi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamashita
authors.forename: Masaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Norimoto
authors.forename: Yasuyoshi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sakurai
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D001193:Arytenoid Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic; D003413:Cricoid Cartilage / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005931:Glottis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D014139:Tracheostomy
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D018501:Antirheumatic Agents; D000069285:Infliximab; D008727:Methotrexate