Cricoarytenoid arthritis is a frequent complication of rheumatoid arthritis. 17% to 33% patients with rheumatoid arthritis suffering from arthritis of the cricoarytenoid joints have been reported. In association with an upper respiratory infection, this can become life-threatening upper airway obstruction. We report a case of severely symptomatic cricoarytenoid arthritis in a 48-year old woman with rheumatoid arthritis. Dyspnea and stridor had appeared, and the cricoarytenoid joint was swollen. The vocal cord was fixed in the midline. The dyspnea and stridor had not reduced with conservative treatment, and tracheotomy was performed. After CO2 laser arytenoidectomy was performed, the patient was free of dyspnea for 7 months, and phonatory function was as good as before the surgery.
