Laryngeal chondrosarcoma of the arytenoid cartilage presenting as bilateral vocal fold immobility: a case report and literature review.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

To describe an atypical case of laryngeal chondrosarcoma of arytenoid cartilage presenting as bilateral vocal fold immobility and to avoid potential missed diagnosis.

METHODS:

Our case study included a detail history, physical and radiological examination, laryngeal electromyography (LEMG), and surgical treatment and pathology analysis. We compared it with the previously discussed cases of chondrosarcoma of arytenoid cartilage in the literature.

RESULTS:

Chondrosarcomas of the arytenoid cartilage is rare, and to date only approximately 10 cases have been reported. We reported a case of a 51-year-old man with 1 month of persistent dyspnea presenting with bilateral vocal fold immobility without neoplasms in larynx. The LEMG showed no obvious abnormality. The cervical-enhanced computed tomography (CT) found no significant signs of a mass except for localized high-density areas in arytenoid cartilage. Right arytenoidectomy and biopsy were performed under general anesthesia with CO2 laser with the pathological diagnosis of chondroma. A total laryngectomy was performed 2 years later, and low-grade chondrosarcoma was the final diagnosis.

CONCLUSIONS:

Laryngeal chondrosarcomas of the arytenoid cartilage are rare. It is easily neglected, especially in those cases presenting with idiopathic vocal fold immobility without any obvious signs of neoplasms. The LEMG and laryngeal CT are necessary. Sometimes, a biopsy of the arytenoid cartilage is essential.

• Authors: Rong Hu, Wen Xu, Honggang Liu, Xuejun Chen
• Journal: Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation (J Voice) Vol. 28 Issue 1 Pg. 129.e13-129.e17 (Jan 2014) ISSN: 1873-4588 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24094803 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2014 The Voice Foundation. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Topics

• Arytenoid Cartilage (diagnostic imaging, pathology, surgery)
• Biopsy
• Chondrosarcoma (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Electromyography
• Humans
• Laryngeal Neoplasms (complications, diagnosis, surgery)
• Laryngectomy
• Laser Therapy (instrumentation)
• Lasers, Gas
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Grading
• Stroboscopy
• Tomography, X-Ray Computed
• Treatment Outcome
• Vocal Cord Dysfunction (diagnosis, etiology)