Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Other Conditions
Number of Conditions: 4
Vocal fold granuloma (due to reflux or intubation)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Throat (Pharyngeal and Laryngeal) Conditions
Sub-category: Other Conditions
Symptoms:
hoarseness; throat pain; difficulty swallowing; lump in the throat; chronic cough
Root Cause:
The granuloma is caused by irritation or inflammation of the vocal folds, often due to acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD) or mechanical trauma from intubation during surgery.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically made through a laryngoscopic examination, where the granuloma is seen on the vocal fold. Additional tests such as pH monitoring or endoscopy may be used to assess reflux.
Treatment:
Treatment involves managing the underlying cause, such as controlling acid reflux with lifestyle changes and medications. In severe cases, surgical removal of the granuloma may be necessary.
Medications:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole or lansoprazole are often prescribed to reduce acid reflux. Corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation. These are anti-inflammatory and acid-suppressing medications.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The condition is relatively uncommon but is more frequently seen in patients with a history of intubation or chronic GERD.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Risk factors include chronic GERD, mechanical irritation (such as from intubation or vocal overuse), and chronic inflammation.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis is generally good with appropriate treatment. Most cases resolve with medical management, but recurrence is possible, especially if the underlying cause (like GERD) is not adequately controlled.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Chronic hoarseness, airway obstruction, and in rare cases, permanent vocal fold scarring or damage may occur if untreated.
Laryngeal papillomatosis (caused by HPV)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Throat (Pharyngeal and Laryngeal) Conditions
Sub-category: Other Conditions
Symptoms:
hoarseness; difficulty breathing; coughing; stridor; throat pain
Root Cause:
Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, resulting in the growth of benign tumors (papillomas) on the vocal cords or larynx.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosed via laryngoscopy, where papillomas appear as wart-like growths on the vocal cords. HPV testing can be done to confirm the viral cause.
Treatment:
Treatment often involves surgical removal of papillomas via micro-laryngoscopy. Recurrent cases may require repeated surgeries. Adjunct therapies like antiviral medications or immune system modulators may be used.
Medications:
There are no specific antiviral medications for treating the papillomas, but some use interferon therapy or topical cidofovir as an experimental treatment. The medications used are immune-modulating or antiviral.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Rare, but more common in children, though adults can also be affected.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
HPV infection, particularly types 6 and 11, is the primary risk factor. Exposure to the virus typically occurs through direct contact, including from mother to child during birth.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Chronic condition with recurrent episodes of papilloma formation, often requiring ongoing treatment. While not life-threatening, it can lead to significant voice changes and breathing problems.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Airway obstruction, persistent hoarseness, and in severe cases, tracheotomy may be necessary. There is a small risk of malignancy in rare, long-standing cases.
Cricopharyngeal achalasia (difficulty relaxing the upper esophageal sphincter)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Throat (Pharyngeal and Laryngeal) Conditions
Sub-category: Other Conditions
Symptoms:
difficulty swallowing; regurgitation of food; choking; feeling of a lump in the throat; weight loss
Root Cause:
The cricopharyngeal muscle, which controls the opening of the upper esophageal sphincter, fails to relax appropriately, leading to swallowing difficulties and food regurgitation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is typically made with a barium swallow test or manometry to evaluate the function of the upper esophageal sphincter. Laryngoscopy may also be performed to assess for other causes of dysphagia.
Treatment:
Treatment often includes dilation of the upper esophageal sphincter or botulinum toxin injections to relax the muscle. In severe cases, surgery (myotomy) may be required.
Medications:
Botox injections are used as a muscle relaxant to treat the condition. Other treatments focus on managing symptoms and include antacids for reflux if present.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
A rare disorder, more commonly diagnosed in older adults but can occur at any age.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Age, neurological disorders (like stroke or Parkinson’s disease), and reflux disease may increase the risk.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
With appropriate treatment, most patients experience significant improvement in swallowing function. Recurrence of symptoms is possible in some cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Aspiration pneumonia, malnutrition, and severe dehydration can result from chronic swallowing difficulties.
Eagle syndrome (elongation of the styloid process causing throat pain)
Specialty: Nose and Throat
Category: Throat (Pharyngeal and Laryngeal) Conditions
Sub-category: Other Conditions
Symptoms:
throat pain; pain while swallowing; ear pain; headaches; neck pain
Root Cause:
The styloid process, a bony protrusion from the temporal bone, becomes elongated or calcified, putting pressure on nearby nerves or blood vessels, causing pain and discomfort in the throat, neck, and ear.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Diagnosis is made through imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans to visualize the elongation of the styloid process. The condition is often confirmed by the presence of characteristic symptoms and physical examination.
Treatment:
Treatment involves either conservative management with pain relief (e.g., NSAIDs) or surgical removal of the elongated styloid process if the pain is severe and persistent.
Medications:
Pain management medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or acetaminophen are commonly used. In some cases, corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
The condition is rare, and the exact prevalence is not well-defined. It is more commonly seen in middle-aged and older adults.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Anatomical variation, trauma to the neck or head, and aging are considered risk factors.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
The prognosis is generally good following surgical treatment, with most patients experiencing relief from symptoms. Conservative treatment may provide temporary relief but might not address the underlying cause.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
In rare cases, the elongation can lead to difficulty swallowing or breathing if the styloid process compresses the airway or nearby vessels.