Reinke’s edema is an inflammation of the vocal cords that causes a deep, rough voice. It is often caused by smoking or gastric reflux and can lead to breathing difficulties. Treatment includes lifestyle changes, medication, speech therapy, and surgery.
Reinke’s edema, or polypoid corditis, is an irritation or inflammation of the vocal cords. People who have Reinke’s edema often have deep, rough voices. Doctors treat the problem by recommending lifestyle changes or surgical procedures.
The vocal cords are tissues inside the throat that move according to the sounds emitted by the speaker. The lamina propria is a three-layered section of tissue within the vocal cord. The top layer of the lamina propria is called the Reinke space. This loose top layer vibrates to the bottom layers.
Reinke’s edema occurs when fluid builds up in this area of the vocal cords. This condition often occurs in smokers or people suffering from gastric reflux disease. It is not cancerous or precancerous, but the swelling could affect breathing. This condition can also exacerbate the symptoms of sleep apnea, which is a disorder that causes sufferers to periodically stop breathing during sleep.
The vocal cord tissues swell with fluid, which causes them to vibrate less. The patient’s voice takes on a lower pitch and may become rough or pebbly due to chronic swelling. Although it often occurs in men, it is more evident in middle-aged women who have smoked for many years.
Swelling within the vocal cords isn’t always consistent on both sides. One side may be noticeably more inflamed than the other. The fluid within the tissues becomes more and more gelatinous as the disease progresses and in some individuals it may develop into vocal polyps.
A doctor can diagnose the condition by performing a thorough physical examination. He or she will conduct a physical exam and ask about the patient’s medical history and background. Your doctor will perform an endoscopy, a procedure in which a long, thin flexible tube with a tiny camera is inserted into your mouth. Your doctor may also order other laboratory tests if needed to make an accurate diagnosis.
Your doctor might recommend speech therapy to help you strengthen your vocal cords. If the patient’s problem is caused by gastric reflux, the doctor will prescribe acid reflux medications or other medications as needed to keep the reflux under control. Many cases of Reinke’s edema resolve after surgery.
Reinke’s edema is evidence of severe vocal cord damage. This condition sometimes gets better on its own if the patient stops smoking. Many doctors do not operate until the patient stops smoking, because the condition is likely to return after surgery if the patient continues to smoke.
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