Arytenoid chondritis (1 of 5)
Festering arytenoid chondritis of over a year's duration. Several biopsies done elsewhere showed only inflammation.

Arytenoid chondritis, removed (2 of 5)
Two weeks after aggressive partial arytenoid superstructure excision, in an attempt to get down to healthy cartilage.

Arytenoid chondritis, removed and healed (3 of 5)
After complete healing. Note loss of anterior arytenoid prominence on the operated side as compared with the unoperated side.

Arytenoid chondritis, removed and healed (4 of 5)
At this point, patient is entirely symptom-free. Notice resolution of the lesion and inflammation. The arytenoid mound is a little lower on right (left of image) than on left (right of image), due to surgical removal of part of the superstructure of the arytenoid.

Arytenoid chondritis, removed and healed (5 of 5)
The area of festering chondritis has completely healed. The arrow shows center of where the lesion was.

Arytenoid chondritis (1 of 3)
This person has twinges of pain every time she swallows, like “ground glass” or “razor blades.” She locates the sensation by pointing precisely to the upper part of the thyroid cartilage on the left. The exam reveals an arytenoid ulcer (upper right of image), with surrounding erythema.

Arytenoid chondritis (2 of 3)
A closer view shows more clearly the central depression and rolled border of the lesion.

Arytenoid chondritis (3 of 3)
Using narrow-band illumination at even closer range.

Arytenoid chondritis (1 of 1)
Small ulcer with surrounding erythema, right arytenoid superstructure.

2 weeks post dilation (1 of 3)
Two weeks after dilation of this inflammatory subglottic stenosis. Treatment elsewhere with esomeprazole for 2 years had not resolved this. This is likely forme fruste Wegener’s-type stenosis, which in this patient has required dilation every few years, with marked resolution of shortness of breath/ noisy breathing.

Ulcer not caused by tube or reflux (2 of 3)
There was no postoperative pain at all until on the 4th postoperative day, when she developed left throat pain radiating to the left ear. Note within dotted line a flat ulcer with surrounding redness, resembling an apthous ulcer more than endotracheal tube injury or acid reflux. Observation was counseled, and even discontinuation or reduction of her esomeprazole.

3 months later, ulcer is gone (3 of 3)
Within a few weeks, the pain resolved. Here, 3 months later, the ulcer and erythema are gone. Dotted lines indicate where the ulcer would be if still present. Compare with photo 2.

Arytenoid perichondritis (1 of 5)
Singer with constant right throat pain and vocal impairment, worsened by singing and speaking. Examination finding: arytenoid perichondritis. Note the erosion exposing the arytenoid cartilage, and the associated swelling.

Pseudopolyp (2 of 5)
Swelling creates a “pseudopolyp” (at arrow) that interferes with vocal cord closure and vibration.

Phonation (3 of 5)
Phonatory view under strobe light.

Two weeks post treatment (4 of 5)
Two weeks after antibiotic treatment. He has intermittent mild discomfort only when singing, and his voice is much improved. Minimal residual erosion (see arrow), with mild inflammatory changes.

Normal voice (5 of 5)
Pseudopolyp has resolved and no longer interferes with voice. At follow-up 6 weeks later, his voice is entirely normal and he has no pain.

Inflammation (1 of 2)
Spontaneous onset of sore throat, laryngitis, without any other URI symptoms approximately 6 months earlier. Biopsy elsewhere showed 'acute and chronic inflammation.' Note the inflamed, rolled border outlined by dotted line, and a sense of central excavation.

Surgery likely (2 of 2)
At closer range. The solution here will likely be to remove the lesion to include a central "festering" area of perichondrium, as for the other cases on this page. Cause of this kind of lesion is always unknown.