A Case Series of Sixteen Patients With Coronavirus Disease-Related Laryngopharyngitis.

OBJECTIVES

Few studies have examined the characteristics of coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-related laryngopharyngitis. Our department has accumulated numerous laryngofiberscopic images of patients with COVID-19-related laryngopharyngitis. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and clinical courses of these patients.

METHODS

Laryngofiberscopic findings were examined in 16 patients with COVID-19 who were treated as inpatients at the Department of Otolaryngology, Yamaguchi University Hospital, Japan between August 1, 2022, and September 30, 2023.

RESULTS

The patients ranged in age from 21 to 78 years (mean age, 44 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 5:11. Pneumonia was observed in two patients, one of whom had aspiration pneumonia. Laryngofiberscopic examination revealed severe inflammation of the laryngeal cavity.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic findings included bilateral arytenoid edema, white coating of the larynx and pseudomembrane formation, inflammation of the epiglottic laryngeal surface, and subglottic laryngitis. Many patients exhibited a combination of these findings. Tracheal intubation was required in one patient, while the others recovered promptly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4.