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Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis in Ibadan, Nigeria
O G B Nwaorgu1, A A Bakari, P A Onakoya
1Department Of Otorhinolaryngology, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Insights
Recurrent respiratory papilomatosis (RRP) in Nigerian children often presents with severe airway obstruction and hoarseness. Early diagnosis and high suspicion are crucial due to potentially grave sequelae.
Area of Science:
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Neoplasms
Background:
- Recurrent respiratory papilomatosis (RRP) is the most common laryngeal neoplasm in children, frequently misdiagnosed as lower airway disease.
- Limited data exists on RRP prevalence and clinical course in Nigeria.
- This study focuses on the clinical profile of RRP at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present the clinical profile of RRP in Nigerian children.
- To highlight the diagnostic challenges and clinical course of RRP in a pediatric population.
- To underscore the need for increased awareness of RRP in Nigeria.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 43 histologically confirmed RRP cases.
- Data collected over a fifteen-year period (specify years if known).
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, and treatment outcomes.
Main Results:
- The study included 43 children (65.1% male) with a mean age of 8.7 years, predominantly from low social classes (95.3%).
- Hoarseness was universal; 70% of dyspneic patients required emergency tracheostomy.
- Lesions primarily affected vocal cords and anterior commissure, with 46.5% experiencing 2-5 recurrences.
Conclusions:
- RRP sequelae in children can be severe, necessitating a high index of suspicion.
- Progressive hoarseness exceeding six weeks unresponsive to therapy warrants RRP evaluation.
- Further research is needed to understand RRP epidemiology and management in Nigeria.
Background:
Recurrent respiratory papilomatosis (RRP), the most common benign neoplasm of the larynx, usually results in upper airway obstruction that is most often misdiagnosed as lower airway disease in children. The prevalence of RRP and various aspects of its clinical course are still unknown with a dearth of literature on this in Nigeria. This study aims at presenting the clinical profile of RRP as seen in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.
Methodology:
A retrospective study of 43 cases of histologically confirmed RRP over a fifteen-year period in the Otorhinolaryngology Department of the University College Hospital Ibadan.
Results:
There were 28 (65.1%) males and 15 (34.9%) females with mean age of 8.7 years (range 2-23 years). Thirty-two patients (74.4%) were between 110 years with the highest incidence occurring at the 6-10 year age group (39.5%). Forty-one patients (95.3%) belonged to low social classes V and IV. Thirty-one patients (72%) presented within 1 year of onset of symptoms. All the patients were hoarse with 70% of those dyspnoeic at presentation having emergency tracheostomy. The lesions involved the vocal cords and anterior commissure mostly. There were no recurrences in 23 patients (53.5%) while twenty patients (46.5%) had 2 to 5 recurrences.
Conclusion:
Sequelae of RRP in Children may be grave, thus a high index of suspicion is needed in a patient with progressive voice change exceeding six weeks and unresponsive to standard medical therapy.
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