Hostname: page-component-6766d58669-mzsfj Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-05-20T13:58:38.777Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Anterior fracture dislocation of the odontoid peg in ankylosing spondylitis as a cause for rhinolalia clausa: a case study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 April 2007

J M Hilton ,
P Tassone ,
J Hanif  and
B Blagnys
J M Hilton*
Affiliation:
ENT DepartmentNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
P Tassone
Affiliation:
ENT DepartmentNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
J Hanif
Affiliation:
ENT DepartmentNorfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
B Blagnys
Affiliation:
Speech and Language Department, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
*
Address for correspondence: J M Hilton, 48 Pightle Way, Lyng, Norwich, NR9 5RL, UK. Fax: 44 1603 287288 E-mail: jenniferhilton@supanet.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

We present an unusual cause of rhinolalia clausa secondary to an oropharyngeal mass. A 69-year-old male presented to the otorhinolaryngology clinic with a one year history of a ‘plummy’ voice. He had a longstanding history of severe ankylosing spondylitis. Examination revealed an obvious hyponasal voice and a smooth hard mass in the midline of the posterior nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal walls. Subsequent computed tomography scans and lateral plain neck X-ray showed a fracture dislocation of the odontoid peg, secondary to ankylosing spondylitis, which had eroded through the body of the C1 vertebra to lie anteriorly, resulting in the aforementioned impression into the pharyngeal mucosa. The radiological images, the role of the nasal airways in phonation and the causes of hyponasal speech are discussed.

Keywords

Speech DisordersOdontoid ProcessNasal ObstructionNasopharynxAnkylosing Spondylitis

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 1 , January 2008 , pp. 105 - 107
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Presented in précised form as a poster presentation at the British Rhinology Society Meeting in 18 May 2006, Swansea, UK.

References

1Mathieson, L. Greene and Mathieson's The Voice and its Disorders, 6th edn.London: Whurr, 2001;228–36Google Scholar
2Dworkin, JP, Marunich, MT, Krouse, JH. Velopharyngeal Dysfunction: Speech characteristics, variable etiologies, evaluation techniques and differential treatments. Lang Speech Hear Serv Sch 2004;35:333–52CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Morrison, M, Rammage, L. The Management of Voice Disorders, 1st edn.London: Chapman and Hall Medical, 1994;137CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Shaha, AR, Johnson, R, Miller, J, Milhorat, T. Transoral-transpharyngeal approach to the upper cervical vertebrae. Am J Surg 1993;166:336–40CrossRefGoogle Scholar
5Pollock, RA, Purvis, JM, Apple, DF, Murray, HH. Esophageal and hypopharyngeal injuries in patients with cervical spine trauma. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 1981;90:323–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Kissel, P, Youmans, JR. Posttraumatic anterior cervical osteophyte and dysphagia: surgical report and literature review. J Spinal Disord 1992;5:104–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Salvinelli, F, Marte, C, Firrisi, L, D'Ascanio, L, Casale, M, Lamanna, F et al. Dysphonia and cervical hyperostosis: a case report [in French]. Rev Laryngol Otol Rhinol (Bord) 2003;124:191–3Google ScholarPubMed
8Tait, TJ, Barlow, G, Iveson, JMI. Cervical spine fractures in ankylosing spondylitis. A case of “autofracture”. Br J Rheumatol 1998;37:467CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
9Peretti, FAE, Sane, JC, Dran, G, Razafindratisiva, C. Particular diagnostic features of recent “spine bone” fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and hyperostosis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 2004;86:27Google Scholar