Fatal asphyxia due to large laryngeal granuloma

Abstract

Laryngeal granuloma, vocal process granuloma, or post-intubation granuloma are benign, inflammatory lesions of the arytenoid cartilage vocal process. The etiology of laryngeal granulomas is multifactorial, such as chronic irritation due to endotracheal intubation, vocal cord injury or trauma, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. They can arise postoperatively after mucosal injury due to orotracheal intubation. Clinical manifestations include voice change and dyspnea, which may start one to four months after extubation and may rarely lead to asphyxia. We presented a case of death due to glottic granuloma occurring after a surgical procedure to remove a laryngeal polyp attributed to previous laryngeal injuries by multiple intubations.