Primary localized laryngeal amyloidosis presenting with dysphonia: a case report

Localized laryngeal amyloidosis is a rare disease with poorly understood aetiology. The commonest symptom at presentation is dysphonia and for a correct diagnosis of amyloidosis to be made a high index of suspicion is needed [Fraihat A, Ardah A. Laryngeal amyloidosis: a case report. J R Med Serv 2005;17:57-9; Passerotti GH, Caniello M, Hachiya A, Santoro PP, Imamura R, Tsuji DH. Multiple sited amyloidosis in the upper aerodigestive tract: case report and literature review. Rev Bras Otorrinolaringol 2008;74:462-6]. We present a case of a 48-year-old male who was investigated over a 5-year period for persistent and progressive hoarseness of voice before the accurate diagnosis of localized amyloidosis was reached. Management of this case consisted of local treatment with endoscopic carbon dioxide laser excision of laryngeal lesions to good effect and exclusion of systemic disease with yearly follow-up for monitoring disease progression.