Benign Neoplastic Tumours and Space-Occupying Tumorous Lesions of the Larynx in Children

Abstract

Benign neoplasms and the other mass lesions of the larynx in children are rare, more rare than congenital and acquired atresias and strictures of the larynx, but they must be taken into account in differential diagnosis of laryngeal obstruction. The most usual lesions are juvenile papilloma, subglottic hemangioma, cysts and true benign neoplasms like neurofibroma, fibroma and rhabdomyoma. The most problematic lesion is the subglottic hemangioma. In contrast to the other lesions biopsy is generally contraindicated because of the difficulty of achieving haemostasis. No standard mode of therapy exists. Encouracing results have been obtained with cryotherapy in six cases over a period of 10 years. None of the patients has shown abnormal laryngeal development or predisposition to stricture.