Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Selective Harvesting of Marginating-pulmonary Leukocytes
Published on: March 11, 2016
A Rare Case of Hemoptysis Caused by a Laryngeal Leech
Nikolaos Tsetsos1, Alexandros Poutoglidis1, Ioannis Skoumpas1
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, "G. Papanikolaou" General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Abstract:
The larynx is an uncommon location for live foreign bodies. The leech can reach the glottis during consumption of contaminated water but is usually expelled by an effective cough reflex. Patients present with hoarseness and dysphagia and occasionally with dyspnea or hemoptysis. Endoscopically, a mobile mass is usually noted in the supraglottic area. We present a rare case of a laryngeal leech in a 62-year-old-male farmer who lives in a rural area. The leech was removed successfully with direct laryngoscopy under general anesthesia.
Related Concept Videos
Esophageal Varices-I: Introduction
Pulmonary Embolism I: Introduction
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Pneumothorax-II
Clinical Manifestations:
Pulmonary Cycle: Exhalation
Pneumonia I: Introduction
Risk Factors
Various factors influence the likelihood of developing pneumonia. Age plays a crucial role, with infants, children under two, and individuals over 65 at increased risk due to their...

