The effects of anabolic steroids on the quality of voice have been well documented; however, no study has established significant structural changes in the larynx as a direct result of anabolic steroid use. We report a unique case of a 47-year-old male smoker and professional body builder who presented with progressive stridor and hoarseness following abuse of anabolic steroids over a period of two years. Conservative management failed to resolve his symptoms and a planned tracheostomy was performed to secure his airway. Subsequently he was treated with multiple laser resections and eventually decannulated. No case of severe laryngitis in association with anabolic steroid usage has been reported previously in the literature.

Alendronate is a bisphosphonate used in treating osteoporosis. Its recognized side-effects include oesophageal irritation and ulceration. The authors describe a case of laryngitis induced by transient contact of this medication with the laryngeal mucosa. Successful management of this case is also detailed.

The diagnosis of fungal laryngitis is often overlooked in systemically immunocompetent patients because it is commonly considered a disease of the immunocompromised, and because it often mimics, clinically and histologically, more common and more serious conditions e.g. leukoplakia. A high index of suspicion is required to make the diagnosis, and should be considered in any immunocompetent patient with persistent or refractory laryngitis and factors predisposing to local mucosal barrier impairment e.g. gastropharyngeal reflux, smoking or inhaled steroid use. In such cases, demonstration of hyperkeratosis, particularly if associated with intraepithelial neutrophils, on biopsy should trigger a search for fungal elements using specialized stains. Prolonged treatment by systemic antimycotics is required. Treatment should also include the elimination of any predisposing factors, as failure to do so may result in difficulty with disease eradication or recurrence of the condition.

Otolaryngological manifestations of acid reflux include a wide range of pharyngeal and laryngeal symptoms; and the constellation of symptoms has been called laryngopharyngeal reflux.

This is a prospective study in a cohort of patients with various throat symptoms suggestive of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) who underwent flexible oesophago-gastroscopy, as a principal investigation. The aims were to look at the most reliable symptom(s) and sign(s), the diagnostic role of flexible oesophago-gastroscopy and the treatment response in these patients.

The endoscopy score of 0 to 3 was based on endoscopic findings and the treatment response was measured from 0 to 100 per cent improvement of symptoms, as described by the patients.

There were a total of 303 patients, 174 females and 129 males with ages ranging from 19 to 88 years. Seventy-five per cent had had symptoms for more than a year. Fifteen per cent were smokers. Globus, voice change, sore throat, dysphagia and cough were the predominant symptoms. Most patients, however, presented with a complex of various other secondary symptoms.

The endoscopic findings were abnormal in 98 per cent of patients. Apart from the finding of non-specific hyperaemia, usually of the posterior larynx (13 per cent), lesions of the larynx and vocal folds were surprisingly uncommon.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) were prescribed in 90 per cent of patients. A total of 233 (76.8 per cent) responded to treatment. The improvement of symptoms ranged from 25 per cent in 36 (23 per cent), 50 per cent in 60 (20 per cent), 75 per cent in 59 (19 per cent) and 100 per centin 78 (26 per cent) patients.

Accumulative analysis of variance showed a significant difference between treatment responders and non-responders (p <0.04). In a logistic regression model patients with globus, voice change and gastric prolapse were more likely to respond to treatment (p <0.04).

It can be concluded that voice change, sore throat, globus and cough choking are the most reliable symptoms of laryngopharyngeal reflux. Voice change and globus symptoms can be of predictive value in terms of successful treatment response. Flexible oesophago-gastroscopy (FOG) isa simple, safe and reliable way of assessment in these cases and treatment with PPI can be effective in the majority of patients.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), which is defined as the backflow of gastric contents into the upper aerodigestive tract, is a relatively common disorder. However, its diagnosis still poses many problems. Twenty-four-hour double-probe pH monitoring is currently the diagnostic test of choice, but it has many disadvantages. Thus, an empiric trial of antireflux therapy has been suggested as an alternative method for diagnosis. The purpose of this article is to evaluate the validity of this alternative method in the management of LPR. The study group consisted of 36 patients with symptoms and physical findings suggesting LPR. The control subjects were 23 healthy adults. Twenty-four-hour double-probe pH monitoring was performed both in the study group and the control group, and the results were compared. In addition, the symptoms and physical findings in the study group was scored by the modified reflux symptom index (MRSI) and reflux finding score (RFS) at four intervals: before the start of therapy and at the second, fourth and sixth months of the therapy. The results of the 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring showed no significant difference between the study and the control groups (p>0.05). In the study group, the MRSI before the therapy was 13.6±4.4. This index improved significantly to 4.3±1.9 at the second month; to 1.5±0.6 at the fourth month, and to 0.5±0.2 at the sixth month of the therapy (p<0.05). The RFS before the start of the therapy was 14.8±3.8; and it improved significantly to 7.7±3.8 at the second month; to 4.5±2.3 at the fourth month, and to 1.4±0.9 at the sixth month of the therapy (p<0.05). The significant improvement in the MRSI and the RFS during the course of proton pump inhibitor therapy relates the patients’ symptoms and physical findings to LPR. This implies the validity of the method, not only in the treatment of LPR, but in the diagnosis of this disorder, as well. Unfortunately, 24-hour double-probe pH monitoring has failed to differentiate LPR patients from healthy individuals.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with chronic posterior laryngitis and symptoms of gastro-pharyngeal reflux benefit from a six-week therapy with pantoprozole. Twenty-nine out-patients with voice disorders (case history of at least two months) and simultaneous symptoms of gastropharyngeal reflux were recruited for this study. At the entry to the study a symptom questionnaire and a videolaryngo/stroboscopy were completed. The symptom questionnaire and the video-laryngo/stroboscopy were repeated after the six weeks of therapy with pantoprazole 40 mg once a day and again six weeks and three months after this follow-up, during which time the patient was without therapy.

Hoarseness, globus pharyngeus, sore throat, heartburn, and coughing were the symptoms which showed a significant (p<0.05) recovery at the follow-ups (mean of hoarseness index: 7.28 to 0.92; mean of globus pharyngeus index: 3.14 to 0.58; mean of heartburn index: 2.86 to 0.5; mean of cough index: 1.72 to 0.25; mean of throat soreness index: 1.72 to 0.15). Laryngoscopy scores of the posterior laryngeal region, the glottic and the supraglottic region showed statistically significant improvement (p<0.05) after the treatment with pantoprazole. The therapeutic effect exceeded the drug administration until the last follow-up (after three months). The medication was tolerated without side-effects in all patients.

A primary (ex juvantibus) therapy with proton pump inhibitors seems to be a therapeutic option for patients with long-lasting chronic inflammation of the larynx not responding to common therapy. In this case a six-week course of treatment has been shown to be sufficient.

A case of severe inflammation with an exuberant granulation lesion of the larynx that mimicked laryngeal tumour is presented. A patient who was a chronic smoker, with a history of hoarse voice underwent multiple endoscopies and biopsies, confirmed histopathologically as acute and, subsequently, as chronic inflammation. The tumour-like tissue in the larynx responded dramatically to prolonged antibiotic treatment. We emphasize the importance of histological confirmation before embarking on removal of an essential organ or part of the body which could lead to physical or emotional scarring.

The immunodeficiency which results from HIV infection is associated with a range of opportunistic infections and tumours which may present with the symptoms of upper airways disease. This paper presents three cases of stridor from different causes in patients with HIV infection, all of whom recovered following treatment. The management of this problem requires consideration of the likely aetiology which, in those with advanced immunodeficiency, includes bacterial and fungal laryngitis and epiglottitis as well as rapidly growing laryngeal tumours. Recommendations for the treatment of those with HIV infection who present with severe or rapidonset stridor should include a combination of aggressive airway intervention and broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal agents. Laryngeal biopsy for histology and culture is particularly important for those patients who fail to respond to the aforementioned treatment.

We present a case of virus-associated haemophagocytic syndrome following Epstein-Barr virus infection in which a fulminant pseudomonal supraglottitis developed. Increasingly, unusual pathogens have been found in immunocompromised patients. This is the first reported case of pseudomonal supraglottitis.