ABSTRACT
Ankylosis of the crico-arytenoid joint in chronic rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and gout are among those diseases which have been known for many years. Other causes for ankylosis are immobilization due to paralysis of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, trauma and its sequelae, and lastly, but to an increasing extent, prolonged treatment in a respiratory unit or, simply, intubation. Direct laryngoscopy finally increased the suspicion that ankylosis of the crico-arytenoid joint was the cause for the dyspnoea. Usually, cord lateralization by arytenoidectomy or arytenoidopexy is recommended in ankylosis of the crico-arytenoid joint. EMG testing and direct laryngoscopy increased the suspicion that ankylosis of the cricoarytenoid joint was the cause for the dyspnoea. Moreover, the diagnosis was dubious since EMG testing of the vocal muscles showed a slight but distinct rise in electrical activity during phonation. Complete obliteration of the crico-arytenoid joints following prolonged treatment in a respiratory unit seems to be rare.
