Dysphonia as a sign of HPV laryngeal infection: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundVoice dysfunction or dysphonia may be associated with several clinical conditions. Among these, laryngeal human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced lesions should be considered as a possible causative factor. We report a case of dysphonia in a patient presenting with an HPV laryngeal lesion. We also discuss the clinical features of the disease, its histopathological findings, and treatment and rigorous follow-up.Case presentationWe report a case of laryngeal papilloma in a 29-year-old, Afro-descendant, male patient with dysphonia. He was a non-smoker and was not a drug user. Videolaryngostroboscopy revealed signs suggestive of pharyngolaryngeal reflux. The right vocal fold presented with a papillomatous aspect in the posterior third, which underwent excision. Histopathological examination showed a nodular lesion of the right vocal fold, conclusive of squamous papilloma with absence of malignancy.ConclusionPatients presenting with persistent voice dysfunction or dysphonia should be investigated for possible laryngeal HPV infection. Diagnostic confirmation by HPV genotyping is important for follow-up of potential recurrence.

Retroviral Disease and Smoking – A Sinister Combination causing Hyperkeratotic Laryngeal Papilloma

“…Low risk subtypes HPV 6 and 11 has certain manifestations in the head and neck, the most common among those are condyloma acuminatum, focal epithelial hyperplasia, Verruca vulgaris, oral squamous papilloma. 6 Due to recurrent nature of HPV laryngeal papillomas, they are referred as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. 7 HPV negative papillomatous lesions in the larynx are not frequent as majority of the lesions are tested positive.…”