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Case Reports
. 2022 Feb 9;15(2):e245678.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2021-245678.

Primary fungal laryngitis mimicking recurrent laryngeal carcinoma

Reuben Abraham Thomas  1 , Thean Yean Kew  2 , Marina Mat Baki  3
Affiliations
Case Reports

Primary fungal laryngitis mimicking recurrent laryngeal carcinoma

Reuben Abraham Thomas et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

A 79-year-old smoker with a background history of a treated glottic carcinoma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with progressive hoarseness, symptoms of aspiration and shortness of breath for 6 months. Examination revealed an ulcero-fungating mass over the posterior commissure of the larynx. A tracheostomy, direct laryngoscopy and biopsy of the mass was performed to secure his airway and to exclude recurrent glottic carcinoma. Reassuringly, a histopathological examination of the mass revealed numerous fungal yeast bodies. He was then treated with itraconazole for 4 weeks and was followed up as and outpatient with complete resolution and no recurrence of the disease.

Keywords: Ear; TB and other respiratory infections; head and neck cancer; nose and throat/otolaryngology.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
A flexible endoscopic view of a fungating mass over the posterior commissure of the larynx involving the medial surface of arytenoids and false cords (arrow).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Axial contrast-enhanced CT of larynx shows a rim enhancing ovoid lesion situated at the posterior commissure (arrow). Note the stranding of the posterior aspects of the false cords bilaterally (arrowheads), with linear inflammatory mucosal enhancement (asterisks).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoperative direct laryngoscopic surgeon’s view during biopsy of the ulcero-fungating mass (arrow).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Flexible nasopharyngolaryngoscopic view of the larynx after 8 months showing complete resolution of the lesion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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