Bamboo Nodules With Underlying Rheumatologic Disease

Bamboo nodules are rare and have been shown to present in patients with rheumatologic disease.

Three cases of bamboo nodules were investigated retrospectively in patients with previously-established rheumatologic processes. Patient data were analyzed.

All cases involved women presenting with dysphonia. One patient had elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and the presence of perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, another had systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the third had RA and Sjögren's syndrome.

This case series supports an association of bamboo nodules with rheumatologic disease, and voice quality may be improved using voice therapy as a first-line treatment. Intra-lesional corticosteroid injection, as well as addressing aggravating factors such as reflux also benefit voice quality. Areas for further research include the impact of diet eliminations, such as gluten and dairy, and of immunosuppressive therapies on voice function in patients with bamboo nodules.