Malakoplakia of the oropharynx

Abstract

We present a case of malakoplakia presenting as a lesion in the oropharynx of an elderly smoker. In this case a clinical diagnosis of carcinoma of the pharynx was made, biopsy revealed the nature of the lesion and management was radically altered.

Malacoplakia of the Vallecula Masquerading as a Malignancy

“…Th is disorder most commonly involves the genitourinary tract; the head and neck region is a rather uncommon site of this disease process. Reports of head and neck involvement have included the larynx, 2 palatine tonsil, [3][4][5] middle ear, 6 tongue, 7 parotid gland, 8 temporal bone, 9 neck, 10 nasopharynx, 11,12 oropharynx, 13,14 and submental region. 14 We report an unusual case of malacoplakia that occurred in the vallecula.…”

Pathology Quiz Case 2: Diagnosis

“…Histologically, the lesion is marked by a mixed inflammatory infiltrate ( Michaelis-Gutmann bodies are accumulations of fused phagolysomes that eventually calcify. 9 The deficiency is attributed to low levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate, which limits lysosomal enzyme release and elimination of phagocytosed material.…”