Successful ribavirin therapy for life-threatening laryngeal papillomatosis post liver transplantation.
A 3-yr-old girl developed severe progressive juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis (JLP) 2 yr after liver transplantation (Tx) for biliary atresia. The papillomata were resistant to withdrawal of immunosuppression, to laser surgery, and to subcutaneous interferon (3 MU/m2, three times weekly), necessitating tracheostomy. Oral ribavirin therapy (25 mg/kg/day) in combination with no immunosuppression effectively prevented the rapid recurrence of JLP over 5 yr. Hence, oral ribavirin is a potentially useful therapy in this life-threatening situation and may also be of benefit in other children with severe JLP.
Balauff
A
A
The Liver Unit, Birmingham Children's Hospital NHS Trust, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, UK.
Sira
J
J
Pearman
K
K
McKiernan
P
P
Buckels
J
J
Kelly
D
D
D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D010212:Papilloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012254:Ribavirin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D012254:Ribavirin