Description

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is a common benign epithelial tumor of the respiratory tract, caused by the human papillomavirus HPV [1]. It affects both adults and children: the juvenile form affect those under 20 years of age, and is more aggressive with a high rate of recurrence compared to the adult form [2]. Recurrent papillomatosis also called laryngeal papillomatosis is usually located in the subglottic region of the larynx. Vocal folds and anterior commissure are the most affected laryngeal sites. However, it can occur anywhere in the aerodigestive tract. Most symptoms are voice disorders, hoarseness, cough and sometimes dyspnea. Currently, there is no cure for laryngeal papillomatosis [3]. Treatment is focused on maintaining permeable airways and voice quality; however, multiple surgical excisions are usually required in a short period of time, due to relapses [3,4].

Figure 1: Flexible laryngoscopy showing laryngeal papillomatosis blocking the respiratory tract.

References

1. SA Ballestas, S Shelly, RM Soriano, et A. Klein. Tendencias en el tratamiento de la papilomatosis respiratoria recurrente. Acta Otorrinolaringológica Española. 2021; 72: 109‑120.
2. H Kim et AS Baizhumanova. Is recurrent respiratory papillomatosis a manageable or curable disease?. The Laryngoscope. 2016; 126: 1359‑1364.
3. D Ding, G Yin, W Guo, et Z. Huang. Analysis of lesion location and disease characteristics of pharyngeal and laryngeal papilloma in adult. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2023; 280: 289‑295.
4. NBI and Laryngeal Papillomatosis: A Diagnostic Challenge: A Systematic Review. IJERPH. 2023.