Cricoarytenoiditis in rheumatoid arthritis: comparison of fibrolaryngoscopic and high resolution computerized tomographic findings.

Cricoarytenoid involvement in rheumatoid arthritis has been assessed in 32 patients by combining clinical evaluation, direct fiberoptic laryngoscopy (DFL), and high resolution computerized tomography (CT). Symptoms were inconstant, variable, and rarely prominent. Absence of symptoms does not exclude an involvement. One case presented as an acute respiratory distress. The study showed an unexpected frequency of involvement with 75% of abnormal DFL and 72% of abnormal CT. Semiology of laryngoscopy and CT are described.