Adult laryngeal hemangioma CO₂ laser excision. A single institution 3-year experience (Vittorio Veneto 2001–2003)

Abstract

Conclusions. Adult supraglottic hemangiomas can be treated successfully with CO₂ laser excision with limited morbidity. Extended laryngeal cavernous hemangiomas involving hypopharynx should be approached with staged CO₂ laser surgical procedures. Objectives. Hemangioma of the adult larynx is an uncommon, benign lesion characterized by thin, friable mucosa overlying the vascular stroma. The optimal surgical approach to these lesions is still controversial because only anecdotal case reports or very limited series are available. We report a 3-year, retrospective, single institution study of the results of CO₂ laser treatment of supraglottic hemangiomas in adults. Patients and methods. Six consecutive cases of adult laryngeal hemangioma were treated by the first author with CO₂ laser microsurgery alone. Results. In five of six cases, no recurrences have been diagnosed (median follow-up period: 29 months). One case presented limited persistence of disease in the retro-cricoid and arytenoids at 20-month follow-up control.