[Thyroid gland stimulation test in Reinke's edema. A study of 28 patients]

In order to clarify the correlation between Reinke's oedema and thyreopathies, we performed a study on 28 patients affected by polypoid degeneration of the vocal cords. Every patient had a complete check-up concerning the otorhino-laryngological either endocrinological aspects, in particular blood laboratory tests including the routine ones and RIA for T3, T4, FT3, FT4, hGT, antibodies and TSH under stimulation of the TRH. 22 patients showed to be affected by subclinical hypothyroidism; 5 patients did not show a substantial increase of the TSH to the TRH stimulation; one patient was affected by hypothyroidism. Our experience clearly shows that subclinical hypothyroidism is the organic pathology more frequently correlated with Reinke's oedema.