Otolaryngological manifestations of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita

The important otolaryngological manifestations of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), which heretofore have not been described in otolaryngological and other specialty journals, are reviewed. Thirty-seven patients with AMC were studied. Nine of these patients with neurogenic AMC, had otolaryngological manifestations. Six of these had Pierre Robin-like syndromes. Seven patients had severe dysphagia and aspiration pneumonitis. Five patients had voice changes, and three of these required tracheotomy to relieve laryngeal obstruction and prevent aspiration. Two of these patients were aphonic and had laryngeal paralysis. Three of the nine patients who had laryngeal examination showed supraglottic narrowing similar to laryngomalacia. Six patients with otolaryngological problems were autopsied, and two had pharyngeal biopsies. The histological examination demonstrated normal laryngeal and pharyngeal musculature. The cricoarytenoid joints were found normal in all the larynges examined. Central nervous system dysfunction rather than simple muscle weakness, caused the dysphagia and respiratroy difficulties in patients with neurogenic AMC. Dysphagia with aspiration was the single most important cause of death in approximately 20% of patients with AMC. A tracheotomy and feeding gastrostomy appears essential for successful management of the otolaryngological complications of AMC.