Isolated laryngeal leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report

Abstract

Isolated laryngeal leishmaniasis in an immunocompetent patient: a case report.

Objective: Isolated laryngeal Leishmaniasis presents neither explicit laryngeal lesions nor specific symptoms. In fact, it may mimic many inflammatory and neoplastic diseases. Considering the low incidence of this atypical localization, laryngeal Leishmaniasis, is rarely contemplated by physicians in differential diagnoses of laryngeal tumour lesions. We present the case of a 62-year-old immunocompetent subject who developed a single Leishmania mucosal lesion on the left vocal cord, simulating a laryngeal cancer.

Methods: A case report and discussion of the clinical case by referring to the literature.

Results: Specific therapy with miltefosine led to clinical and endoscopic improvement. We had no relapse after three years of follow-up.

Conclusions: This clinical case highlights the need to consider isolated laryngeal Leishmaniasis in the differential diagnoses of laryngeal tumour lesions, even in immunocompetent subjects who live in endemic zones, in order to ensure an early and correct therapeutic approach.