Primary localised laryngeal amyloidosis : an atypical presentation

Abstract

Primary localised laryngeal amyloidosis is a rare disease that classically presents with dysphonia. We present a case of a 38-year-old woman who presented with a history of early morning haemoptysis, progressively worsening hoarseness and intermittent dysphagia. A bulky left false vocal cord was seen on examination. A computed tomography scan of the neck and trunk revealed thickening of the left side of the larynx with associated asymmetry. Direct laryngoscopy showed a round, well-circumscribed lesion on the left false vocal cord and histological examination of the lesion confirmed the presence of amyloid.

Systemic disease was ruled out and the patient was treated with endoscopic excision of the mass through carbon dioxide laser technology. The patient’s symptoms improved and the patient is being followed up yearly to exclude disease recurrence. The report highlights the presentation, diagnosis and appropriate management of localised laryngeal amyloidosis.