Symptomatic laryngeal nodular chondrometaplasia: a clinicopathological study

Abstract

A 41 year old man with a history of politrauma presented with a nodular mass of the left false vocal cord, associated with progressive dysphonia, dyspnoea, and dysphagia. A computed tomography scan of the neck region showed a rounded and circumscribed mass without infiltration of the surrounding tissues. Histological investigation of the nodule revealed the presence of fibroelastic cartilaginous tissue, surrounded by a thin rim of fibrous tissue, with rare hypercellular areas, occasional binucleated cells, slight hyperchromasia, and an irregular nuclear profile. Mitotic activity was absent. The patient's history of laryngeal trauma, with the subsequent progressive onset of clinical symptoms, helps to distinguish the chondrometaplastic nature of this nodule from true laryngeal cartilaginous tumours, such as chondroma and low grade chondrosarcoma.

Ultrasound, CT and MRI Appearances of a Rare Symptomatic Laryngeal Chondrometaplasia: A Case Report

“…However, it is usually small in size (usually less than 1 cm in diameter) and thus asymptomatic ( 1 ). Symptomatic laryngeal chondrometaplasia is rare and seldom reported ( 2 , 3 ). It may be difficult to differentiate laryngeal chondrometaplasia from the chondroid tumor such as chondroma or low-grade chondrosacroma either clinically, histologically or radiologically ( 2 ).…”

“…Symptomatic laryngeal chondrometaplasia is rare and seldom reported ( 2 , 3 ). It may be difficult to differentiate laryngeal chondrometaplasia from the chondroid tumor such as chondroma or low-grade chondrosacroma either clinically, histologically or radiologically ( 2 ). The treatment for different chondroid tumors and chondrometaplasia is not the same.…”

“…The laryngeal chondrometaplasia can originate from mucosa, submucosa, adjacent connective tissue, or cartilage of the larynx. It shows predilection for the posterior and mid-portions of the glottis, and for the ventricular bands ( 2 ). In the previous autopsy study, about 40% of them showed bilateral involvement ( 4 ).…”

“…The symptoms include hoarseness, dyspnea, dysphagia or vocal fold palsy. It is postulated that previous laryngeal trauma or laryngo-tracheitis predisposes to the development of metaplasia in the larynx ( 2 , 3 ). It is also suggested that the presence of these predisposing factors with progressive onset of symptoms may help in recognizing the chondrometaplastic nature of the lesion and distinguishing it from true laryngeal cartilaginous tumors which usually have no triggering factors ( 2 , 3 ).…”

Pathological changes of larynx in inhalational thermal injury causing laryngeal stenosis based on a canine model

“…In 1985, Ferlito A et al [25] reported a case of chondrometaplasia of the ventricular bands in a patient who underwent an excision of epiglottic cyst in the right glossoepiglottic vallecula two years ago. A Orlandi et al [26] also reported a chondrometaplasia case of ventricular bands with a history of intubation after a tra c accident. All sufferers in the above reports, who were examined with chondrometaplasia of the glottis, had a history of trauma, had surgery in the glottis, or were in old age, while inhalational injury that induced chondrometaplasia of the larynx has not been previously reported.…”