Histoplasmosis of the Larynx

Abstract

The incidence of laryngeal histoplasmosis is low when compared to the total number of cases. Less than 100 cases of laryngeal histoplasmosis have been described in the medical literature. Isolated laryngeal involvement may lead to the misdiagnosis and mistreatment of tuberculosis or laryngeal cancer, according to some reports. The development of hoarseness in a patient with histoplasmosis or a laryngeal mass leading to hoarseness, might be suggestive of laryngeal histoplasmosis. When histoplasmosis is included among the differential diagnoses of a laryngeal lesion, the biopsy should be limited to a small tissue fragment, enough to perform histological tests. The laboratory technicians must be warned about the possibility of histoplasmosis, because special dyes have to be used to confirm this diagnosis.

Disseminated cutaneous histoplasmosis with laryngeal involvement in a setting of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome

“… 6 Since 1952, when laryngeal histoplasmosis was initially described in the literature, less than 100 cases have been reported to date. 7 Common initial manifestations are pain when swallowing, hoarseness, gingival ulceration and dysphagia. 7 , 8 Firm, painful ulcers, with elevated borders, involving the oral mucosa and larynx are characteristic.…”

“… 7 Common initial manifestations are pain when swallowing, hoarseness, gingival ulceration and dysphagia. 7 , 8 Firm, painful ulcers, with elevated borders, involving the oral mucosa and larynx are characteristic. 7 , 8 …”

“… 7 , 8 Firm, painful ulcers, with elevated borders, involving the oral mucosa and larynx are characteristic. 7 , 8 …”

Chronic non-granulomatous supraglottitis: a rare and difficult disease

“…Inflammatory disease of the supraglottic larynx is rare. The causes are myriad, and include: reflux, 1 environmental pollutants, 2 , 3 granulomatous disorders, 5 syphilis, 5 , 6 fungal infections, 7 , 8 viral infections, 9 amyloidosis, 10 , 11 Wegener's granulomatosis, 12 chronic relapsing polychondritis, 13 sarcoidosis, 14 systemic lupus erythematosus 15 and hereditary angioedema 16 18 Chronic non-granulomatous epiglottitis is an extremely rare entity with only a few reports in the literature 19…”

Answer to September 2017 Photo Quiz

“…But in immunocompromised hosts, these organisms multiply freely, with infection spreading to other organ systems. The factors that positively influence the progression of primary infection are number of organisms inhaled, extremes of age, immunosuppression, and malnutrition (2). The pathogenesis of Histoplasma capsulatum infection is not completely known.…”