A case of laryngeal aspergillosis following radiation therapy

Primary laryngeal aspergillosis is extremely rare. It is commonly seen as a part of a systemic infection involving the respiratory system in an immunocompromised host. Differential diagnosis is important, as the clinical symptoms are similar to those of malignant laryngeal disease. We describe a 73-year-old man with a history of hoarseness. He had a history of radiotherapy for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and had a history of diabetes. Direct laryngoscope and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of aspergillus. We cauterized the lesion with a CO(2) laser. In the present case, irradiation seemed to have played a more important role in the onset of this disease rather than diabetes.