title: Fungal infection of the epiglottis simulating a clinical malignancy.
abstract: Primary fungal infection of the larynx is rare. We present a case of primary laryngeal invasive fungal infection in a patient with Felty syndrome. The lesion in the epiglottis resembled a malignant process and the whole epiglottis was excised endoscopically. No neoplasia was found and the cultures of the epiglottis grew Candida glabrata. We propose that the diagnosis of laryngeal candidiasis be considered in adult patients with certain predisposing factors, eg, immunodeficiency syndromes, but the possibility of underlying malignancy must be ruled out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Central Hospital, FIN-00029 HUCH, Helsinki, Finland. Antti.makitie@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Antti A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mäkitie
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bäck
authors.forename: Leena-Maija
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Aaltonen
authors.forename: Ilmo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Leivo
authors.forename: Matti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Valtonen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D041221:Candida glabrata; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D004825:Epiglottis; D005258:Felty Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007818:Laryngeal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery