Angioleiomyoma of the larynx: beware the subglottic lesion

Angioleiomyomas are a benign group of tumours rarely documented in the head and neck region. We present a case of a 47-year-old man attending the ear, nose and throat outpatient clinic, with a history of hoarseness over many years. Investigation revealed a left-sided subglottic lesion. He underwent microlaryngoscopy and biopsy, and the lesion was sent for histological analysis. Postoperatively, the patient began to expectorate fresh red blood that continued for several hours, requiring surgical intervention. Haemostatic control was achieved and a tracheostomy was sited for airway protection. Histopathology identified angioleiomyoma as the cause of his symptoms. Following multidisciplinary team discussion, this was managed with injection of bleomycin and subsequent surgical excision. This case is a reminder that subglottic lesions are often vascular in nature, and should be investigated with imaging and angiography prior to surgery, to avoid complications.