CT findings in benign expansions of the larynx

KTP Laser in Laryngeal Amyloidosis: Five Cases with Review of Literature

To study the clinical presentation and review the options in the management of laryngeal amyloidosis. To study the efficacy of KTP 532 laser in the excision of laryngeal amyloidosis. Study was conducted in our department in a tertiary care hospital between Jan 2001 and Feb 2010. We report five patients who presented with hoarseness of voice and localized laryngeal lesions. The biopsy proven laryngeal amyloidosis lesions were excised microendoscopically using KTP 532 laser in three patients and other two patients were kept only on follow-up as they refused further surgery. The patients were evaluated for systemic amyloidosis. The average duration of follow up was 2.6 years (3 months 6 years). All the five patients in our study were asymptomatic with no evidence of recurrence at their last follow up. In our small case series, KTP 532 laser excision of the laryngeal amyloidosis had a favorable outcome. Long term follow up is required to rule out recurrence and systemic involvement.

Primary laryngeal tuberculosis mimicking laryngeal carcinoma: CT scan features

Laryngeal tuberculosis is a rare disease. It is almost always associated with pulmonary tuberculosis. It occurs generally in adults without BCG vaccination or in cases of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. On laryngoscopy and imaging, it often simulates laryngeal carcinoma, and confirmation is always histological. We report the case of a 36-year-old man who presented to our hospital with dysphonia and dysphagia. Laryngoscopy revealed a lesion of the left vocal cord and the ventricular strip. CT scan found focal, regular thickening of the left vocal cord, associated with irregular thickening of the posterior laryngeal wall. A biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of tuberculosis.

Hypopharyngeal amyloidosis: A case report

Hypopharyngeal amyloidosis is rare. Management depends on etiology. We report a case of hypopharyngeal amyloidosis and review the characteristics of this exceptional pathology. A 60-year-old woman with a history of diabetes and chronic cervicalgia consulted for dysphagia and deteriorated general health status, which had been evolving for 2 months. Clinical examination found two ulcerations of the lateral edge of the tongue and right pyriform sinus salivary stasis. Panendoscopy found regular swelling of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx and cervical esophagus. The pyriform sinuses and larynx were normal. Cervical CT and MRI showed thickening of the posterior wall of the hypopharynx. Biopsy found amorphous acellular eosinophil interstitial deposits, shown to be amyloid on Congo red staining, leading to a diagnosis of amyloidosis. Etiological assessment pointed to myeloma. The patient was managed by chemotherapy associating melphalan and prednisone. Evolution at 12 months' follow-up was good. Localized amyloidosis is a rare lesion of the superior aerodigestive tract, predominating in the larynx. Hypopharyngeal involvement is exceptional. Diagnosis is histological. Management depends on etiology. Local treatment is exceptional other than in case of complication. Systemic forms with associated myeloma are of poor prognosis.

Laryngopyocele: signs on computed tomography

A laryngocele is an air-filled dilation of the saccule of the larynx. An infected laryngocele is called a laryngopyocele. Our experience with a case of laryngopyocele with signs on computed tomography before and after antibiotic therapy is presented since laryngopyocele is more unusual.

Spontaneous regression of a symptomatic laryngopyocoele

A laryngopyocoele is a rarely encountered neck mass which may cause respiratory obstruction. Spontaneous regression of an established symptomatic laryngopyocoele is an even more unusual situation, since most of the reported cases require immediate intervention for impending airway obstruction. A case of a laryngopyocoele showing spontaneous regression after antibiotic therapy is presented and the clinical aspects are reviewed.