Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal connective tissue neoplasia affecting endothelial cells, initially described in 1872 by Moritz Kaposi. Kaposi’s sarcoma, traditionally linked to HHV-8 and prevalent among immunocompromised individuals, has been sporadically reported in the larynx. We present the case of a 70-year-old man, a former smoker (30 packs of smoke per year), who approached our ENT department with a 2-month history of severe and progressive dyspnea, odynophagia, and dysphonia. At nasopharyngeal and laryngeal endoscopy, we detected the presence of a huge, non-ulcerated, purple-red polypoid-like neoformation in the supraglottic space, which obliterated 95% of the glottis region. Given the impossibility of orotracheal intubation (IOT), we decided to perform a temporary tracheostomy, then we performed an intraoperative microlaryngoscope biopsy with a result of KS, then we proceeded with a direct microlaryngoscopy with CO2 laser exeresis. Adjuvant Radiotherapy was performed and the patient is free of disease after 2 years of follow-up.

Supraglottic Laryngeal Kaposi\'s Sarcoma: An Uncommon Case with Respiratory Obstruction Challenges

Galletti, Cosimo;Bianco, Maria R;Allegra, Eugenia
2025-01-01

Abstract

Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS) is a multifocal connective tissue neoplasia affecting endothelial cells, initially described in 1872 by Moritz Kaposi. Kaposi’s sarcoma, traditionally linked to HHV-8 and prevalent among immunocompromised individuals, has been sporadically reported in the larynx. We present the case of a 70-year-old man, a former smoker (30 packs of smoke per year), who approached our ENT department with a 2-month history of severe and progressive dyspnea, odynophagia, and dysphonia. At nasopharyngeal and laryngeal endoscopy, we detected the presence of a huge, non-ulcerated, purple-red polypoid-like neoformation in the supraglottic space, which obliterated 95% of the glottis region. Given the impossibility of orotracheal intubation (IOT), we decided to perform a temporary tracheostomy, then we performed an intraoperative microlaryngoscope biopsy with a result of KS, then we proceeded with a direct microlaryngoscopy with CO2 laser exeresis. Adjuvant Radiotherapy was performed and the patient is free of disease after 2 years of follow-up.
2025
Case report
CO
2
laser
Epiglottis
Head and neck cancer
Kaposi
Micro laryngeal surgery
Oncology
Otorhinolaryngology
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12317/107813
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