Reinke’s Edema

Abstract

A persistent buildup of fluid in the subepithelial layer of the genuine vocal cord mucosa is known as Reinke's edema . Minimal intervention and superficial excision with edema evacuation and preservation of the medial margin of the vocal fold to enhance voice quality are the two key therapeutic tenets for Reinke's edema. We describe a case of a 65-year-old man who had smoked for 55 years and complained of dysphonia throughout the preceding year, which had become worse within the two weeks prior to admission. The patient additionally said that strenuous exercise or prolonged speech might cause dyspnea to occur. Tonsilalingualis hypertrophy grade 2 was seen during a nasopharyngoscopy, along with bilateral true vocal cord edema. Glottic region thickening and an isodense lesion at C5 level of the glottic area were both seen on the CT scan picture. The patient had vocal cord steroid injections in addition to microlaryngeal surgery. The connective tissue had subepithelial edema, according to histopathological analysis. The patient got postoperative care that included IV ranitidine 50 mg every 12 hours, IV paracetamol 500 mg every 8 hours, IV methylprednisolone 62.5 mg every 12 hours, and oral amlodipine 1 mg twice daily while in the hospital up to one day following surgery. The patient was released, and prescriptions for cefixime 200 mg twice, methylprednisolone 8 mg twice, and sodium diclofenac 50 mg twice were given. The patient was instructed to follow a customized laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) diet and to completely rest their voice for one week.