[Laryngocele. The experience with 14 cases]

Following a brief introduction regarding the general features and the pathogenic theories of laryngocele, our remarks concern 14 cases observed in the ten year period 1979-1988. The patients are all male, aged between 34-78 years, in eleven cases the laryngocele was monolateral, in seven of a mixed type, five internal and two external. External exeresis was carried out in nine cases. There was a re-occurrence of internal laryngocele, which was treated successfully. The four cases which were not operated on, concerned three occasional outbreaks, which were virtually asymptomatic and a fourth case with serious general contraindications. We encountered one case of laryngopiocele. In conclusion, an elevated number of symptomatic cases has been noted, and the significant fact was that in three cases emergency tracheotomy was required for acute dyspnea. We have noticed the association between cancer and laryngocele in only one case. It has not been possible to draw conclusions about the transition situation between neoplasia and air sac, given the considerable extension of the laryngeal tumour. It is therefore presumed that the laryngocele is secondary, favoured by the increase of intraglottic pressure determined by the laryngeal carcinoma.