وذمة رينك

What is Reinke’s oedema?

Reinke’s oedema is the the progressive formation of irritation and oedema (build up of fluid) in the form of a gelatinous bag in the vocal cords (in Reinke's space, which vibrates when we speak in order for sound to be produced). These problems cause long-lasting dysphonia, hoarseness and in some cases, a feeling of suffocation. It is more common in men than in women.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms usually display gradually, and can include:

• Sounding ‘breathy’ while talking
• A gravelly voice
• Difficulty in making your voice louder, or voicing at all
• Feeling that your airway is ‘abnormal’, or disturbed in some way
• A reduced pitch range

Causes of Reinke’s oedema

Normally, Reinke’s oedema affects people who abuse their voice (e.g straining and shouting). It occurs almost exclusively in smokers, but it can also appear in cases of hypothyroidism and can be associated with acid reflux.

Can it be prevented?

Prevention of Reinke’s oedema can be encouraged by avoiding the consumption of tobacco and alcohol and by avoiding bad vocal habits such as forceful and excessive use of voice.

What is the treatment?

In most cases the treatment is based on rehabilitation therapy with a voice therapist, total abstinence from tobacco use and vocal rest. Stopping smoking alone may be enough in some cases to reduce the oedema. However, some patients with long history of Reinke’s oedema may need to undergo a laryngeal microsurgery procedure for the elimination or absorption of the oedema. In such cases, rehabilitation therapy will be required before and after the operation.