Asymptomatic Laryngocele: Incidence and Association with Laryngeal Cancer

Abstract

Since laryngoceles are usually asymptomatic, their incidence is probably higher than the literature suggests. With the advent of computed tomography, the incidence and significance of the asymptomatic laryngocele in a general head and neck practice can be addressed. To this end, 304 consecutive patients with a variety of otolaryngic diagnoses were studied prospectively by computed tomography of the neck from January 1983 to February 1985. Thirty-eight (12.5%) of the patients had asymptomatic laryngoceles, defined as air-containing structures in the supraglottic region extending more than 5 mm above the superior border of the thyroid cartilage during normal breathing. The incidence of laryngoceles associated with laryngeal cancer (29%) was higher than that for laryngoceles associated with other diseases (9%). No patient with an asymptomatic laryngocele not associated with laryngeal cancer showed evidence of a subsequent laryngeal neoplasm during close follow-up of 10 to 36 months.

Unilateral combined laryngocoele with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: case report

“…1 They can occur with or without cancer; however, there is a higher incidence of laryngocoele in patients with carcinoma of the larynx, compared with controls. 3,7 The present case report demonstrates a unilateral combined laryngocoele occurring in conjunction with adultonset respiratory papillomata. There are currently two other documented cases of saccular pathology accompanying papilloma in the English literature.…”

“…2 Laryngocoeles have also been described as abnormal dilations of the saccule which rise above the superior border of the thyroid cartilage. 2,3 Laryngocoeles are classified as internal, external or combined. Internal laryngocoeles extend postero-inferiorly within the aryepiglottic fold and the false vocal folds.…”

Giant laryngoceles: a cause of upper airway obstruction

“…In the prospective study by Close et al CT scans were performed on 304 patients with a variety of otolaryngeal diagnoses other than laryngocele. The incidence of asymptomatic laryngoceles was 12.5% [4].…”

“…One of these conditions is believed to be laryngeal carcinoma, because there is a high incidence of accompanying laryngoceles. This higher incidence is probably caused by secondary features, such as increased laryngeal pressure from airway obstruction, increased phonatory effort and/or excessive coughing and local mechanical conditions [1,4]. Therefore it is important to perform thorough investigation of patients with a laryngocele to exclude laryngeal malignancies.…”

Endoscopic CO₂ Laser Surgery for Large Internal Laryngocele

“…Therefore, a necessity for strict radiological criteria for normal saccule versus pathological laryngocele exists. According to the prospective study of Close et al [6], 38 (12.5%) of their 304 patients with various otolaryngological diagnoses had asymptomatic la- Hirvonen ryngoceles. They defined laryngoceles as air-containing structures in the supraglottic region extending more than 5 mm above the superior border of the thyroid cartilage during normal breathing.…”