Reinke's space is at the caudal aspect of the vocal fold, between the lamina superficial lamina propria and vocal ligament. Inflammation with edema at the fold constitutes Reinke's edema.
Risk factors:
(1) smoking
(2) female sex
Stages of evolution: edema, fibrosis, fibrin deposition, and final vascular ectasia. If edema is significant than it may become polypoid.
The edema may be unilateral or bilateral.
Clinical features:
(1) change in voice, often deeper
(2) dyspnea
Epithelial dysplasia may develop over time.
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