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Chronic voice hoarseness: when is it an emergency?
Win Sen Kuan1, Sock Koon Lee, Shirley Beng Suat Ooi
1Emergency Medicine Department, National University Hospital, Singapore. kuanwinsen@hotmail.com
Summary
A 68-year-old man
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Chronic hoarseness can be an atypical symptom of serious cardiovascular conditions.
- Mediastinal masses require prompt and accurate diagnosis.
Observation:
- A patient presented with chronic voice hoarseness, left chest, and hypochondrial pain.
- Imaging revealed a large mediastinal mass.
Findings:
- The mediastinal mass was identified as a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
- This highlights a rare presentation of aortic pathology.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider thoracic aortic aneurysms in patients with hoarseness and chest pain.
- Early detection of dissecting or leaking aneurysms is critical to prevent catastrophic outcomes.
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The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
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The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids, corniculates, and...
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Pneumothorax can be even further classified as spontaneous, traumatic, and tension pneumothorax.
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