Case Report

Recurring Tracheal Papillomatosis Treated with Cryosurgery

Authors: Kinila T. Mohan, MBBS, MD, FACP, Jennifer Greenheck, MSN, APRN, Edmundo R. Rubio, MD

Abstract

Cryosurgery has proven effective in managing malignant tracheobronchial tumors, yet its role in benign lesions is not well established. A case of isolated tracheal papillomas recurring 15 years following laser surgery is reported. Cryosurgery allowed improvement in symptoms and adequate control of the papillomas.


Key Points


* Recurrent respiratory papillomas are characterized by repeated growth of benign papillomatous lesions along the epithelium of the respiratory tract, usually affecting the vocal cords and larynx.


* Tracheostomy for vocal cord and laryngeal papillomas may predispose children to distal tracheobronchial spread.


* Cryosurgery has been shown to be effective in managing advanced malignant bronchial tumors and for airway complications after lung and heart transplantation; there is very little in the literature describing its use with benign lesions.

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