title: Fungal laryngitis in immunocompetent patients.
abstract: The diagnosis of fungal laryngitis is often overlooked in immunocompetent patients because it is commonly considered a disease of the immunocompromised. Further confusion is caused by clinical and histological similarity to more common conditions like Leukoplakia. Demonstration of hyperkeratosis particularly if associated with intraepithelial neutrophils on biopsy should trigger a search for fungus using specialized stains. These patients usually present with hoarseness of voice. Pain is present inconsistently along with dysphagia and odynophagia. We present three cases of fungal laryngitis in immunocompetent patients out of which one underwent microlaryngeal surgery with excision biopsy. All these patients responded well with oral antifungal therapy.
authors.affiliation: Dept of E.N.T. Head & Neck Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116 India.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ravikumar
authors.affiliation: Dept of E.N.T. Head & Neck Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116 India ; 65/3, East Colony, ICF, Chennai, 600038 Tamil Nadu India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasanna Kumar
authors.affiliation: Dept of E.N.T. Head & Neck Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116 India.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Somu
authors.affiliation: Dept of E.N.T. Head & Neck Surgery, Sri Ramachandra Medical College & Research Institute, Porur, Chennai, 600116 India.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sudhir
keywords: Fungal; Immunocompetence; Laryngitis