Papillomas are the most common laryngeal tumors in childhood, and their etiology is thought to be viral. Papillomatosis (ie, widespread, multiple papillomas) may involve a child's airway from the epiglottis to the bronchi. Hoarseness is an early sign of juvenile laryngeal papillomas (JLP), and airway obstruction is a later, life-threatening sign. The recurrence and spread of JLP is common. An otorhinolaryngologist may perform a tracheostomy on a child with JLP; however, this procedure is avoided if possible, because a tracheostomy predisposes the trachea to papilloma seeding. Laser ablation of papillomas through the use of rigid endoscopic equipment and a carbon dioxide laser is the mainstay of therapy.
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