title: Herpes Simplex Virus Laryngitis Presenting as Airway Obstruction: A Case Report and Literature Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Herpes simplex virus (HSV) laryngitis is rare in adults. We add a case report to the literature and perform a literature review to further delineate the clinical presentation, course, and treatment of HSV laryngitis in adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and literature review using PubMed and Ovid databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten cases of diagnosed HSV laryngitis in adults were reported in the literature. It is more common in immunocompromised patients. The mean patient age was 51 years with a male to female ratio of 1:1. The clinical presentation and course of HSV laryngitis is variable. Patients may have mild chronic symptoms, such as dysphonia, or a fulminant course with rapid airway compromise. On laryngoscopic exam, the most common findings are a white exudate or ulceration. The most common treatment is with antiviral medication, such as acyclovir, which tends to be highly effective.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Herpes simplex virus laryngitis is rare. Clinical presentation of HSV laryngitis is variable, and its course may be indolent or fulminant. Treatment with antiviral medication tends to be highly effective.
authors.affiliation: 1 Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Oakland, California, USA.
authors.forename: Lucas
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Harless
authors.affiliation: 1 Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Oakland, California, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: 2 Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Department of Pathology, Oakland, California, USA.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.affiliation: 1 Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Oakland, California, USA.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Durr
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061605:Administration, Intravenous; D000368:Aged; D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D006801:Humans; D007827:Laryngitis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000821:virology; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D000212:Acyclovir
keywords: airway; laryngeal diseases; laryngology; respiratory tract infection; upper airway obstruction; viral infection