High-resolution ultrasound in the evaluation of pediatric recurrent respiratory papillomatosis.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the ultrasonographic appearance of laryngeal papillomatosis and to compare ultrasound with direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy, the criterion standard, for airway evaluation.


METHODS
Prospective, nonrandomized analysis of preoperative and postoperative airway ultrasound images.


METHODS
Tertiary, university-based medical center.


METHODS
Eight patients (4 females and 4 males) with recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, with a mean age of 10.25 years and a mean of 14 surgical papilloma resections (range, 3-35).


METHODS
The patients underwent planned papilloma resections with ultrasound evaluation before formal endoscopic resection. Preresection ultrasound images of respiratory papillomas were evaluated.


METHODS
The ultrasonographic appearance of respiratory papillomas and pediatric airway anatomy.


RESULTS
Respiratory papillomas appeared as discrete, hyperechoic lesions on the relatively hypoechoic background of the true vocal folds.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent respiratory papillomas have a characteristic ultrasonographic appearance that seems to correlate with endoscopic findings. It seems that this modality holds promise for identifying pedunculated papillomas. Although direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy are the criterion standard, airway ultrasound may have a role in the early diagnosis of, surveillance of, and operative planning for recurrent respiratory papillomatosis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the ultrasonographic appearance of papillomas and the first comparison of ultrasonographic and endoscopic airway images. This modality merits further study, and further investigation is ongoing.
Bryson
Paul C
PC
Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7070, USA.
Leight
W Derek
WD
Zdanski
Carlton J
CJ
Drake
Amelia F
AF
Rose
Austin S
AS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010212:Papilloma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult