Laryngitis - Symptoms, Causes, Images, and Treatment Options

Diseases

Highlights & Basics

Key Highlights

Laryngitis is inflammation of the larynx, which can lead to edema of the true vocal folds. Causes may be infectious or noninfectious (e.g., vocal strain, reflux laryngitis, chronic irritative laryngitis).
Laryngitis is often clinically diagnosed, with acute disease presenting with hoarseness that generally arises over a period of <7 days, this is usually preceded by a viral upper respiratory infection, and is ordinarily self-limiting. Patients may present with airway distress due to edema and high fever. Exudative tonsillopharyngitis with fever and anterior cervical lymphadenitis is highly suggestive of a bacterial origin.
Symptoms of acute disease, most commonly hoarseness, generally arise over a period of <7 days, are usually preceded by a viral upper respiratory infection, and are ordinarily self-limiting. Patients may present with airway distress and high fever. Exudative tonsillopharyngitis with fever and anterior cervical lymphadenitis is highly suggestive of a bacterial origin.
The airway should be assessed first. Diligence and promptness are key, as they can be lifesaving.
Chronic laryngitis is the presence of laryngeal inflammatory symptoms including hoarseness, globus, pain, dysphagia, throat clearing, or cough lasting >3 weeks. A thorough evaluation and specialist consultation should be obtained to evaluate for inflammatory, infectious, or autoimmune etiologies, and because chronic laryngitis can mimic symptoms of laryngeal malignancy.

Quick Reference

History & Exam
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Definition

Epidemiology

Etiology

Pathophysiology

Images

Corynebacterium diphtheriae bacteria, stained using methylene blue; specimen taken from a Pai slant culture
Young boy presenting with acute diphtheria infection

Citations

Key Articles

Alcaide ML, Bisno AL. Pharyngitis and epiglottitis. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2007 Jun;21(2):449-69,[Abstract]
Tulunay OE. Laryngitis - diagnosis and management. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2008 Apr;41(2):437-51,[Abstract]
Stachler RJ, Francis DO, Schwartz SR, et al. Clinical practice guideline: hoarseness (dysphonia) (update). Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018 Mar;158(1_suppl):S1-S42.[Abstract][Full Text]

Other Online Resources

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Keeping your voice healthy

Referenced Articles

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