Unusual presentation of oropharyngeal Kaposi's sarcoma.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this article is to focus ear, nose, and throat (ENT) practitioners on a pathology rarely seen within the head and neck mucosa.


METHODS
A 62-year-old black African man was referred to our ENT department for dysphagia and hoarseness. Physical ENT examination revealed a smooth normal mucosal mass on the left lateral pharyngeal wall, which masked the inlet of the larynx, and bilateral cervical lymph nodes but no other mucosal lesions. Anti-human immunodeficiency virus antibodies were found to be negative. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count, and platelet count were normal. Serum protein electrophoresis was also normal. A CT scan confirmed the lesion and lymph node involvement. Treatment consisted of a transoral endoscopic resection with ligature of the pedicle, with the patient under general anesthesia. The patient's improved medical condition permitted 11 cycles of bleomycin (15 mg/3 weeks).


RESULTS
A 5-month fibroscopic follow-up control showed no recurrence, and total clinical regression was observed after 1 year. Three years later, all ENT lesions had disappeared, with no adenopathy or mucosal lesions.


CONCLUSIONS
Kaposi's sarcoma is a pathology that the ENT practitioner must keep in mind when patients present with a laryngopharyngeal mass. The symptomatic cases were all surgically treated; however, death subsequently occurred.
Choussy
Olivier
O
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck surgery, Rouen University Hospital, Rouen, France. olivier.choussy@chu-rouen.fr
Van Haverbeke
Christophe
C
Babin
Emmanuel
E
Francois
Arnaud
A
Duval-Modeste
Anne Bénédicte
AB
Dehesdin
Daniele
D
D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012514:Sarcoma, Kaposi / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy