Abstract
Objectives:
1) Describe a case of laryngeal schwannoma in a young male presenting with gradual voice changes. 2) Review the latest literature on laryngeal schwannomas, diagnosis, and treatment.
Methods:
Chart review and literature search.
Results:
A 21 year old previously healthy male nonsmoker presented with a 5 year history of worsening dysphonia without dysphagia or dyspnea. On exam, his voice was breathy, raspy, and weak. Fiberoptic laryngoscopy demonstrated a smooth, lobulated exophytic mass of the left false vocal fold extending into the true vocal fold and anterior commissure. Pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated a T2-enhancing mass with considerable transglottic extension. The patient underwent microsuspension direct laryngoscopy with en bloc excision of the lesion. Post-operatively the patient reported significant improvement in voice with no dysphagia, despite left sided hypomobility.
Conclusions:
Laryngeal schwannoma is a rare tumor of the larynx. Although typically benign and slow-growing, it can cause airway obstruction or compressive symptoms, manifesting as voice changes, as in our patient. Symptoms may resolve completely after complete excision.
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