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Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma presenting as a prelaryngeal, air-filled structure (pseudolaryngocoele)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2007

T S Korampalli ,
A Belloso ,
P S Hans ,
K Irion  and
I J Sheppard
T S Korampalli*
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology, Fairfield Hospital, Bury, UK
A Belloso
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology, Fairfield Hospital, Bury, UK
P S Hans
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology, Fairfield Hospital, Bury, UK
K Irion
Affiliation:
Radiology Departments, Fairfield Hospital, Bury, UK
I J Sheppard
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology, Fairfield Hospital, Bury, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Mr I J Sheppard, Consultant ENT Surgeon, Fairfield General Hospital, Bury, BL9 7TD, UK. E-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objective:

We report a unique case of a squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx presenting as a large pseudolaryngocoele, arising through a thyroid cartilage defect.

Method:

Case report and review of the literature.

Case report:

A 47-year-old man presented with a two-month history of hoarseness and a large, midline neck swelling. Endoscopic examination revealed a transglottic carcinoma involving the anterior commissure. Fine needle aspiration of the neck mass showed it to be an air-filled structure which transiently collapsed but refilled within minutes. Subsequent computed tomography scanning and histopathological examination revealed that the air-filled mass was created by a defect in the thyroid cartilage, with formation of a pseudolaryngocoele.

Conclusions:

The anatomy of the anterior commissure region and its effect on the spread of laryngeal carcinoma is reviewed in order to explain the pathophysiology of this unusual presentation. We highlight the need for a high index of suspicion of malignancy if a laryngocoele or pseudolaryngocoele is detected clinically.

Keywords

Laryngeal NeoplasmsSquamous CarcinomaLaryngocele
Type
Clinical Record
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 122 , Issue 5 , May 2008 , pp. 535 - 537
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2007

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