Cricoarytenoid arthritis may be a case of emergency

Cricoarytenoid arthritis is a frequent complication of rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases it is an insidious, progressive disorder which does not produce early symptoms. A bilateral fixation can lead to a considerable stenosis; exertional dyspnoea, however, may not be noted because mobility of most patients is restricted. We report a case of severely symptomatic cricoarytenoid arthritis in a women known to have myasthenia gravis and rheumatoid arthritis. Initially exacerbation of the myasthenia gravis, leading to severe inspiratory insuffiency was suspected. On indirect laryngoscopy, however, the correct diagnosis was made. Early diagnosis might have prevented an emergency in our patient.