Common questions / 14/05/2021

What causes edema of larynx?

Factors contributing to the development of laryngeal edema are the use of an inappropriately large tracheal tube, occurrence of trauma at tracheal intubation, prolonged intubation, coughing on the tracheal tube, and a change in position of the patient’s head and neck during surgery [3].

Which side effects are associated with radiation therapy for laryngeal cancer?

Side effects of radiation therapy for laryngeal or hypopharyngeal cancer

Skin problems in the area being treated, ranging from redness to blistering and peeling.
Mouth sores.
Dry mouth.
Worsening of hoarseness.
Trouble swallowing.
Change of taste.
Possible breathing trouble from swelling.
Tiredness.

What does edema of larynx mean?

Abnormal accumulation of fluid in tissues of any part of the LARYNX, commonly associated with laryngeal injuries and allergic reactions. Swelling due to an excessive accumulation of fluid in the larynx.

Which organ is affected when a person suffers from laryngeal edema?

Laryngeal edema is a common feature of acute inflammation, but it is particularly important because swelling of the epiglottis and vocal cords can obstruct the laryngeal orifice, resulting in asphyxiation.

What are the signs of laryngeal edema?

Most patients with post-intubation laryngeal edema complain of mild symptoms like throat ache, difficulty to speak, or swallow. However, severe laryngeal edema makes a common etiology of post-extubation stridor in almost two-thirds of the cases, and nearly half of the patients with stridor get reintubated.

Is laryngeal edema fatal?

Even the first episode of laryngeal edema may be fatal. The fact that HAE may be associated with upper airway obstruction and death by asphyxiation has been known since descriptions of the disease by Quincke1 and Osler.

How is laryngeal edema treated?

The preferential treatment of postextubation laryngeal edema consists of intravenous or nebulized corticosteroids combined with nebulized epinephrine, although no data on the optimal treatment algorithm are available. In the presence of respiratory failure, reintubation should be performed without delay.

How often does laryngeal edema occur after radiotherapy?

Fourteen patients (20.9%) had moderate or severe laryngeal edema persisting for or developing at more than 3 months after completion of a course of definitive radiotherapy. The incidence was highest in supraglottic T2 disease, followed by glottic T2 tumour.

Can a high RT dose cause laryngeal edema?

Irradiation of the larynx and pharynx with a high RT dose may result in progressive edema and associated fibrosis, leading to long-term problems with phonation and swallowing impairment. [3], [8] Laryngeal edema may be an early detectable morphologic change predicting late functional impairment.

Why is it important to know about larynx edema?

What happens to the larynx after radiotherapy?

Significant laryngeal edema (SLE) after radiotherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx may be associated with upper airway obstruction or tumor recurrence. We assessed the risk factors predictive of SLE and those differentiating tumor recurrence from SLE.

What are the effects of laryngeal edema on voice?

With significant laryngeal edema, significant impairment of voice function, up to aphonia, occurs. With a pronounced form of edematous laryngitis, the phenomena of respiratory insufficiency of the larynx increase, to the extent requiring urgent tracheotomy.

What causes noninflammatory edema of the larynx?

Noninflammatory laryngeal edema is observed in a number of common diseases, for example, in patients suffering from cardiac decompensation, renal failure, nutritional or oncological cachexia, allergies, hypothyroidism, angiolymphogenous diseases, etc.