Hostname: page-component-7dd5485656-bt4hw Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-29T16:19:46.947Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Cryptococcal infection of the larynx: case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 April 2013

N Mittal ,
P Collignon ,
T Pham  and
M Robbie
N Mittal*
Affiliation:
Capital Pathology, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
P Collignon
Affiliation:
Infectious Diseases Unit, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia Clinical School, Australian National University, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
T Pham
Affiliation:
Woden Valley Specialist Centre, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
M Robbie
Affiliation:
Capital Pathology, The Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Namita Mittal, Capital Pathology, 2 Makin Place, Canberra, ACT, Australia2600 Fax: +61 2 62852946 E-mail: drnmittal@gmail.com
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objective:

Laryngeal cryptococcosis is a rare condition. In this report, we describe the findings for and treatment of a 58-year-old man with Cryptococcus gattii infection of the right vocal fold.

Method:

Case report and review of the relevant English language literature.

Results:

The patient presented with persistent hoarseness of voice. Laryngoscopy demonstrated an irregular, red lesion on the right vocal fold. Histopathological examination identified cryptococcus. The patient was treated with oral fluconazole 400 mg/day for eight weeks.

Conclusion:

Laryngeal involvement by Cryptococcus gattii can result from prolonged inhaled corticosteroid therapy and proximity to eucalyptus trees. The clinical presentation, laryngoscopic findings and imaging results of laryngeal involvement may mimic a neoplasm. Histopathological examination can demonstrate the causative organism. Management consists of advice from an infectious disease specialist together with adequate treatment by antifungal agents.

Keywords

HoarsenessCryptococcus GattiiEucalyptus

Information

Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 127 , Supplement S2 , July 2013 , pp. S54 - S56
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

1Berke, GS, Kevorkian, KF. The diagnosis and management of hoarseness. Compr Ther 1996;22:251–5Google ScholarPubMed
2McGregor, DK, Citron, D, Shahab, I. Cryptococcal infection of the larynx simulating laryngeal carcinoma. South Med J 2003;96:74–7CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
3Gordon, DH, Stow, NW, Yapa, HM, Bova, R, Marriott, D. Laryngeal cryotococcosis: clinical presentation and treatment of a rare cause of hoarseness. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2010;142(suppl 1):S7–9CrossRefGoogle Scholar
4Medscape Reference: Cryptococcosis. In: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/215354 [20 August 2012]Google Scholar
5Ellis, DH, Pfeiffer, TJ. Natural habitat of Cryptococcus neoformans var. gattii. J Clin Microbiol 1990;28:1642–4CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
6Joo, D, Bhuta, S, Chhetri, DK. Primary cryptococcal infection of the larynx in a patient with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a case report. Laryngoscope 2009;119(suppl S1):S169CrossRefGoogle Scholar
7Bamba, H, Tatemoto, K, Inoue, M, Uno, T, Hisa, Y. A case of vocal cord cyst with cryptococcal infection. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2005;133:150–2CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
8Chandler, FW, Watts J. Cryptococcosis. In: Connor, DH, Chandler, FW, Schwartz, DA, Manz, HJ, Lack, EE, eds. Pathology of Infectious Diseases. Stamford: Appleton & Lange, 1997;I:989–97Google Scholar