Sleeping with the head elevated often prevents the reflux. Cricoarytenoiditis Inflammation of the cricoarytenoid joint. Cricoarytenoiditis occurs in elderly patients with arthritis. Examination of the larynx detects redness and swelling over the arytenoid cartilage. The cricoarytenoid joint eventually becomes fixated, causing the vocal cords to abduct poorly.
Respiratory distress can result.
Rarely, arytenoidectomy or tracheotomy is required. Resection of the elongated styloid process is curative. This disorder is self-limiting but may last for months. Anti-inflammatory analgesics are effective. Chronic neck and occipital pain often occurs along the distribution of C2 and C3.