[Disorders of the Larynx and Chronic Inflammatory Diseases]

Chronic inflammatory diseases including tuberculosis, rheumatic disorders (rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Wegeners's granulomatosis, relapsing polychondritis) and reflux disease are considered as systemic diseases, and may affect the larynx. The clinical symptoms are often unspecific, leading to prolonged intervals to diagnosis. Solid and haematological tumours should be considered in differential diagnosis and may require bioptic sampling. Treatment may require interdisciplinary approach.