Photoclinic Challenge

Why Does This 74-Year-Old Man Have a Hoarse Voice and Difficulty Swallowing Food?

Volume 64 - Issue 2 - February 2024

Consultant360’s Photoclinic Challenge is an interactive quiz based on an image featured in a Photoclinic article. View the slideshow for a brief overview of the case, patient history, and a key hint. For more Photoclinic Case Reports, visit our archive.

Figure. Lateral x-ray showing hypopharynx (the "thumb sign") and a narrowing of airways.

© 2023 HMP Global. All Rights Reserved.
Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of Consultant360 or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.

For more COPD content, visit the Disease State Hub

Case. A 74-year-old man with a history of COPD presented to the ED with hoarseness of his voice and difficulty eating 2 days prior to his hospital admission.

For more Geriatrics content, visit the Resource Center

Patient history. The patient had a muffled voice and difficulty swallowing food. He did not complain of coughs, sputum production, difficulty breathing, fevers, drooling or swelling of the neck, lips, or tongue.

For more Inflammation content, visit the Disease State Hub

Diagnostic testing. Labs showed a WBC of 11.9 × 103/μL (ref: 4.0-11.0 × 103/μL); a monocyte count of 0.9% (ref: 0-10%), and an absolute neutrophil count of 8.8 (ref: 2.0-7.5 × 103/μL).

For more Imagining content, visit the Resource Center

Key hint. The patient's imaging included a lateral soft tissue neck x-ray, which showed a thickened epiglottis.

Research Summaries

Public Health

CDC Recommends Expanded COVID-19 Booster and Early Pneumococcal Vaccination for High-Risk Adults

11/18/2024

Miranda Manier, BA

The CDC has updated its guidelines for COVID-19 and pneumococcal vaccines, aiming to boost protection for high-risk populations against severe disease year-round.

11/18/2024

Research Summary

doctor at desk typing notes with clipboard in view

Research Summary

Quality of Life and Comorbidities in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

11/15/2024

Miranda Manier, BA

A new study led by the Congenital Heart Initiative explores quality of life, mental health, and physical activity outcomes in a large cohort of adults with congenital heart disease.

11/15/2024

Research Summary

Research Summary

Quantum Molecular Resonance May Relieve Symptoms of Dry Eye Disease

11/14/2024

Miranda Manier, BA

In a randomized trial, high-frequency electrotherapy improved symptoms and some clinical signs of dry eye disease, offering a potential new treatment for this common condition.

11/14/2024

Research Summary

older person talking to doctor on computer

Research Summary

Do Telehealth Mindfulness Interventions Improve Pain Management for Veterans?

11/12/2024

Miranda Manier, BA

A recent clinical trial demonstrates that both group and self-paced telehealth mindfulness-based interventions can potentially enhance pain-related function and biopsychosocial outcomes in veterans with...

11/12/2024

Research Summary

Research Summary

Neurofilament Light Chain as an Indicator of Neurological Damage in Acute Hepatic Porphyria

11/08/2024

Miranda Manier, BA

New research reveals that elevated serum neurofilament light chain levels correlate with both acute and chronic neurological damage in acute hepatic porphyria, offering clinicians a potential tool for...

11/08/2024

Why Does This 74-Year-Old Man Have a Hoarse Voice and Difficulty Swallowing Food?

© 2023 HMP Global. All Rights Reserved.Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of Consultant360 or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.

© 2023 HMP Global. All Rights Reserved.
Any views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and/or participants and do not necessarily reflect the views, policy, or position of Consultant360 or HMP Global, their employees, and affiliates.